Italian media cover Azerbaijan Vice-President’s Vatican visit PHOTO

Leading Italian media have highlighted the official visit of Azerbaijan’s First Vice-President, Mehriban Aliyeva, to the Holy See.

According to AZERTAC, reports published by Giornale Diplomatico, Notizie Geopolitiche, il Domani d’Italia, Gazzetta Diplomatica, Kmetro0, il Denaro, Radio Studio90 Italia, Tele Città, MSN, and ZaZoom emphasise that during her visit, Mehriban Aliyeva held a series of important meetings and took part in a number of key events.

During her meeting with Pope Leo XIV, the First Vice-President underscored the significant development of relations between Azerbaijan and the Vatican. Discussions included the Catholic Church’s activities in Azerbaijan and preparations for the construction of a second Catholic church. Pope Leo XIV noted that this collaboration provides a major boost to interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

Mehriban Aliyeva also met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who expressed satisfaction with the positive evolution of bilateral relations. Cardinal Parolin described the construction of the second Catholic church in Baku as a joyful event, highlighting Azerbaijan’s respect for all religions. He congratulated the country on the initialling of a peace agreement with Armenia, affirming the Vatican’s clear support for establishing peace in the region.

The visit also included the participation of the First Vice-President and her family in the inauguration of the restoration project at the Catacombs of Saint Commodilla, carried out with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The project represents a new stage in long-term cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican.

In addition, Mehriban Aliyeva met Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Paul, to review ongoing restoration and construction projects supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

She visited the molecular genetics and clinical diagnostics laboratories of the Bambino Gesù children’s hospital, one of Europe’s largest, and met with the President of the Vatican City State Governorate, Sister Rafaella Petrini, participating in a tree-planting ceremony in the Vatican Gardens.

Her itinerary also included the restoration works at St Peter’s Basilica funded by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, a visit to the Apostolic Library and the Vatican Apostolic Archive, and a joint appearance with Cardinal Parolin at the official opening of the administrative office of Azerbaijan’s embassy to the Holy See.

By Aghakazim Guliyev