Diplomatic sources in Rome say Iranian President Hassan Rohani plans to visit Italy and France next week -- his first trip to Europe since the lifting of sanctions against his country under an historic nuclear deal with world powers.
Italian officials said Rohani planned to visit Italy on January 25 and 26 before traveling on to Paris on January 27.
His schedule in Italy includes meetings with the country’s president and prime minister as well as a group of Italian business leaders.
Rohani also reportedly is scheduled to meet Pope Francis on January 26.
The visits were originally due to take place in November but were canceled after the November 13 terrorist attacks by Islamist militants in Paris.