President Ilham Aliyev Receives Vatican Official, Invites Pope Leo XIV to Visit Azerbaijan

Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on Tuesday received George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See, to discuss bilateral relations and prospects for enhanced cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the successful development of relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, emphasizing the importance of reciprocal visits at various levels in strengthening bilateral ties. In this regard, the significance of George Jacob Koovakad’s visit to Azerbaijan, including his planned tour of the country’s regions, was highlighted.

George Jacob Koovakad conveyed the greetings of Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin to President Aliyev and thanked the Azerbaijani leadership for the warm hospitality extended to him.

President Aliyev expressed his appreciation for the greetings and requested that his own best wishes be conveyed to Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Parolin.

The Azerbaijani leader also recalled his previous visit to the Vatican and his meeting with the late Pope Francis, as well as the late pontiff’s visit to Azerbaijan, describing these exchanges as important milestones in bilateral relations.

The meeting highlighted Azerbaijan’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Both sides praised the country’s role as a center of tolerance and multiculturalism and its contribution to promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue at the international level.

The parties also noted the activities of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan and discussed the ongoing construction of a second Catholic church in the country, reflecting the favorable environment for religious communities.

Discussions further covered cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Holy See, with particular attention to the Foundation’s efforts in preserving cultural heritage and advancing interfaith dialogue through various projects.

The two sides exchanged views on future avenues of cooperation and other issues of mutual interest. During the meeting, President Aliyev presented George Jacob Koovakad with an official letter of invitation addressed to Pope Leo XIV, inviting him to pay a visit to Azerbaijan.

The meeting underscored the continued commitment of Azerbaijan and the Holy See to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding among cultures and religions.