'Covering St.Peter's in an enormous box?' - Italians react to veiling of classical art for alien religion

Should we cover up the Vatican for an alien religion?

Italians are upset that state officials covered ancient Roman statues to avoid offending Hassan Rouhani's sensibilities during his visit to Rome. The president of the Islamic Republic is on a tour of Europe to drum up trade following the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, paid a visit to Italy this week to drum up trade with Italian officials and to visit Pope Francis. The visit was overwhelmingly positive. At the conclusion of his meeting with Pope Francis, Rouhani asked Pope Francis for his prayers.

However, ahead of the Iranian delegation's arrival, many statues were covered with sheets and boxes to avoid offending Iranian sensibilities. Because a lot of surviving classical statuary is nude, and anatomically correct, Italian officials were worried the Iranians would be uncomfortable with such displays.

While such politeness is appreciable, it has still become a matter of national pride for the Italian people. Italy is renown for its classical art and history. Many see the effort to appease Rouhani as unpatriotic, and much too politically correct.

The issue is a legitimate one. Giorgia Meloni, head of a conservative political party, joked that the Emir of Qatar was coming, and asked if they should be "covering St. Peter's in an enormous box?"

It's understandable to want to avoid offending a guest, but there are limits. After all, Rouhani was visiting Rome of all places. Nobody should visit one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and expect that place to veil itself on account of your alien religion.

Would Iran cover Islamic art and artifacts for the visit of a western leader?

Sorry Rouhani, but "When in Rome, do as the Romans." Check out the art --up close, you might develop an appreciation of classical art and history.