First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, met with Pope Leo XIV of Rome on October 17 as part of her official visit to the Holy See - Vatican.

Axar.az reports that expressing gratitude for being received by Pope Leo XIV of Rome, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva emphasized that relations and bilateral ties between the Vatican and Azerbaijan have significantly developed in recent years. The First Vice-President noted that in recent years, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has done a lot of work with the Holy See in restoration work, as well as scientific research and cultural exchanges.

The First Vice-President emphasized that, in accordance with the agreements signed between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Vatican, after the successful completion of some projects, others have been implemented.

Mehriban Aliyeva said that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will continue to expand cooperation with the Holy See by coming up with new initiatives.

The meeting provided information on the activities of the Catholic Church of the Holy See in Azerbaijan, as well as the preparatory work carried out in connection with the construction of the Second Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV drew attention to the long history of bilateral cooperation between the Vatican State and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Pope expressed his gratitude to the First Vice-President, noting that relations had developed significantly thanks to the initiatives put forward by Mehriban Aliyeva a few years ago. Leo XIV noted that this cooperation had given a great impetus to interreligious and intercivilizational dialogue, and that Azerbaijan was among the first in this regard on a global scale.

The Head of the Holy See, expressing his interest in continuing these projects with Azerbaijan, asked to convey his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, for the land allocated for the construction of the Second Catholic Church. The Pope expressed his gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the work done.

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her gratitude to the Head of the Holy See and invited the Pope to visit Azerbaijan.