Catholic, Italian outlets celebrate Mehriban Aliyeva’s role in cultural and diplomatic cooperation photo

Azerbaijan’s First Vice President, Mehriban Aliyeva, drew significant attention from leading media outlets of the Holy See and Italy during her official visit to the Vatican on October 17, where she met with Pope Leo XIV.

According to local media, reports from Vatican News, the Vatican’s official newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Catholic news agencies ACI Stampa and Agenzia S.I.R., and the Italian Catholic community paper Faro di Roma underscored the remarkable progress in bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See over recent years.

During her visit, Vice President Aliyeva also held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. Both sides focused on cultural cooperation, expressing satisfaction with the strengthening of existing ties and commending the work of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan. The discussions, conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and sincerity, highlighted the commitment of both nations to continue dialogue and collaboration.

In addition, media reports noted that on October 16, Vice President Aliyeva participated in the inauguration of the restoration project for the Catacombs of Saint Commodilla. The catacombs, home to some of the earliest Christian artefacts, are also the burial site of Christian martyrs Felix and Adauctus and served as a place of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages.

The restoration project was formalised through an agreement signed on March 4, 2021, between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology.

The Foundation has previously led restoration efforts at the Catacombs of Saints Marcellino and Pietro, as well as Saint Sebastian, demonstrating a sustained commitment to preserving Christian heritage in Rome.

By Tamilla Hasanova