Priests, religious people and those faithful to the Roman Catholic Church expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his visit to Azerbaijan.

Ordinary of the Church of the Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception (Roman Catholic Church) in Azerbaijan Vladimir Fekete read out a gratifying letter.

“Dear Holy Father, fourteen years ago, some of us have had the privilege to meet your predecessor, John Paul II in this city,” Fekete said.

“This event was truly a miracle and up to now we are reaping the abundant spiritual fruits of that visit,” he said. “You, understand very well the meaning of words as discrimination, marginalization and poverty very well.”

“At the same time you are trying to tell to the world how change these words and these realities change into new words and realities: mercy, kindness, tolerance and all other synonyms of the word – charity,” he added.

“It is very significant for us that your visit takes place during the Jubilee Year of Mercy,” he said.

“Dear Holy Father, on behalf of the faithful, priests and religious of the Apostolic Prefecture in Azerbaijan, I express our gratitude and joy for your presence among us, for your words of encouragement, proclaimed during the homily and through your example of life, fully consecrated to the Kingdom of God,” he said.

“We ask you to continue to pray with us for reconciliation and peace in the Caucasus,” he added.