Azerbaijan’s First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva met with Pope Leo XIV during her official visit to the Holy See, underscoring the growing partnership between Azerbaijan and the Vatican in cultural and humanitarian fields.
According to Report, Aliyeva thanked the pontiff for the warm welcome and noted that bilateral relations had reached “a new stage of development” in recent years.
She highlighted the work carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in cooperation with the Holy See – including restoration projects, academic research, and cultural exchanges.
“The Foundation will continue to expand its collaboration with the Vatican through new initiatives that strengthen intercultural and interreligious dialogue,” Aliyeva said.
The meeting also addressed the activity of the Catholic Church of the Holy See in Azerbaijan, including preparations for the construction of a second Catholic church in the country.
Pope Leo XIV praised the long-standing cooperation between the Vatican and Azerbaijan, commending Mehriban Aliyeva’s role in advancing dialogue between faiths and civilizations.
“Your initiatives have become an important bridge between cultures and religions,” he said. “Azerbaijan today stands among the world’s leading examples of tolerance and interfaith harmony.”
The pontiff conveyed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for allocating land for the new church and thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for its continued support of restoration and cultural programs.
Mehriban Aliyeva expressed appreciation for the Pope’s remarks and invited him to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan.
View this post on Instagram
