To worshippers' chants of "Death to America", an influential Iranian cleric urged the Vatican yesterday to learn from the late Pope's teachings on peace and condemn what he called US aggression.
Former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who has hinted at a comeback attempt in June's presidential election, praised Pope John Paul for his swift condemnation of US military actions in Iraq.
"He was a Pope who spoke out for world peace," Mr Rafsanjani told worshippers at prayers at Tehran University.
"The late Pope gained more respect as he condemned the war in Iraq and the crimes of Americans in Iraqi prisons."
To chants of "Death to America" from the congregation, he said: "How can the Vatican be indifferent? US policy is based on force and crackdown. It damages the image of Jesus Christ."
Shia Muslim Iran has strongly condemned the US-led occupation of Iraq, despite its hatred of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and has been incensed by the its presence in the neighbouring country.
Mr Rafsanjani accused the Vatican of being indifferent towards "mass aggressions of America" around the world.
"The Vatican should follow the Pope's path. It should act in this respect," he said in a live broadcast. He did not spell out what steps the Vatican should take.
Washington has accused Tehran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, destabilising Middle East peace efforts and abusing human rights.
Mr Rafsanjani said Washington's war on terrorism was a smokescreen for a campaign to achieve world domination. He is a key adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and heads the expediency council, the country's top arbitration body.