First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, met with Cardinal James Harvey, Archbishop of St. Paul's Basilica, within the framework of her official visit to the Holy See - Vatican on October 16.

Axar.az informs that, recalling that this was her sixth visit to the Holy See in the past 14 years, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva noted that interstate relations have developed on a very solid foundation, based on mutual respect and friendship over the years. The First Vice-President highlighted the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the restoration of a number of important projects over the years, emphasizing that they will continue this activity in the future.

Mehriban Aliyeva, who said that they jointly participated in the opening of the Catacombs of St. Commodity today, drew attention to the fact that this is one of the major projects of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and said:

"Rome is a city that is almost an open museum under the sky, both underground and above ground. Our activities are structured in such a way that as soon as some projects are completed, we start new ones. This is a very continuous cooperation, and I highly appreciate it."

Archbishop Cardinal James Harvey expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani state and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation on behalf of the Holy See for the implementation of such important projects and the work done.

The Cardinal noted that St. Paul played a very important role in laying the foundations of all Catholic and Christian communities. He emphasized that a series of events will be held at St. Paul's Basilica now and in the future, and said:

"These noble works that you are doing are a good opportunity to get to know your country better."

The archbishop, emphasizing that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation participated in the restoration of the coverings of St. Paul's Basilica, said that a lot of effort had been put into completing this work. He noted that, given the number of pilgrims coming to Rome, the work carried out with the support of Azerbaijan to ensure security in that basilica was of exceptional importance.

Then, a commemorative gift was presented to Cardinal James Harvey, the archbishop of St. Paul's Basilica.