Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov wrapped up a series of high-level meetings in the Vatican, underscoring Baku’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, cultural preservation, and advancing peace efforts in the South Caucasus.
During his official visit, Bayramov met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. According to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, the two sides reviewed the state of bilateral relations, cooperation on multilateral platforms, and the growing role of Azerbaijan–Vatican engagement in promoting dialogue between religions and cultures.
Officials on both sides emphasized the importance of continued high-level exchanges, citing recent visits by Azerbaijan’s leadership, including President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. The latter’s October visit to the Vatican was highlighted as a turning point in strengthening humanitarian and cultural cooperation.
Both parties expressed satisfaction with joint restoration and conservation projects—particularly the preservation of architectural monuments within the Holy See undertaken with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The minister also pointed to Mehriban Aliyeva’s visit to Europe’s largest pediatric hospital, Bambino Gesù, describing its outcome as a new avenue for bilateral humanitarian cooperation.
Bayramov and Gallagher reaffirmed the significance of papal visits to Azerbaijan-Pope John Paul II in 2002 and Pope Francis in 2016-and the construction of the Baku Catholic Church named after John Paul II. With 2027 marking the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations, both sides expressed confidence in the steady growth of bilateral ties.
Talks With Cardinal Parolin
In a separate meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Bayramov discussed political dialogue, religious tolerance in Azerbaijan, and the expanding scope of cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
The minister stressed Azerbaijan’s commitment to protecting the rights and security of all ethnic and religious communities, noting the country’s longstanding traditions of multiculturalism. Restoration projects supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation were again highlighted as bridges for expanding interreligious and cultural collaboration.
Parolin and Bayramov also touched on the global role of religious institutions in promoting solidarity and universal human values.
Regional Security and Post-Conflict Developments
Throughout his meetings, Bayramov briefed Vatican officials on the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the “historic agreements” reached at the Washington summit, and concrete steps taken to implement them. He also outlined reconstruction efforts on territories liberated after the 2020 war and Azerbaijan’s progress in rehabilitating religious heritage sites, including Christian monuments.
Climate change and Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of COP29 were discussed, along with the country’s contribution to global energy security and its growing cooperation with Central Asia.
Visit to Vatican Library and St. Peter’s Basilica
Bayramov also visited the Vatican Apostolic Library, describing it on social media as a “unique treasury of human history” and a reminder of the enduring power of dialogue preserved in manuscripts across centuries.
He later toured St. Peter’s Basilica and viewed restoration work supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.
Azerbaijan’s top diplomat concluded his visit by reaffirming that cultural cooperation, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian partnerships remain central pillars of the country’s relationship with the Vatican.
