Cardinal Dominique Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran–Isfahan, left Iran and arrived in Rome after being evacuated from the capital, Tehran, as military conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate.

Sources from EWTN News and ACI MENA state that the 62-year-old Belgian cardinal left Iran last weekend after the Italian government decided to close its embassy in Tehran for security reasons and relocate all diplomatic staff to Baku, Azerbaijan. The Cardinal's residence was located within the embassy compound, so he left Iran with the diplomatic delegation and then flew to Rome.

Cardinal Dominique Mathieu belongs to the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv.). He was appointed Archbishop of Tehran–Isfahan in 2021 and was created a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2024.

According to international Catholic sources, Cardinal Mathieu is currently the only priest serving the entire Diocese of Tehran–Isfahan. The Roman Catholic community in Iran consists of about 2,000 faithful, mostly foreigners, out of a total population of nearly 90 million, the majority of whom follow Shia Islam.

Latin Catholic faithful worship at four parishes: three in Tehran and one in Isfahan.

Speaking to the Belgian Catholic news outlet Cathobel, Cardinal Mathieu said he left Iran with a heavy heart at being away from his flock. He expressed hope to return soon and called for prayers for peace.

In an interview with EWTN News, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, stated that the evacuation took place as many embassies advised foreigners to leave Iran due to the unpredictable security situation.

According to ACI MENA, as soon as the war broke out, many Catholic faithful in Iran—including diplomats, international staff, and students—left the country.

Currently, four nuns from the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul remain in Iran to continue their service:

  • Three nuns in Tehran caring for about 20 residents in a nursing home
  • One nun in Isfahan, who previously served at a center for leprosy patients

As of March 10, 2026, the war between Iran and the U.S.–Israel alliance has entered its 11th day, with military activities continuing across the Middle East.