Azerbaijan to host historic church foundation ceremony in Honor of Pope John Paul II

Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, has begun his three-day visit to Azerbaijan.

This is a highly significant visit, serving as another example of Azerbaijan's model of multiculturalism and religious tolerance, with the latter being a key component. The length of Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher's visit also indicates a very busy schedule of meetings in Baku. Undoubtedly, the main goal of the visit is to lay the foundation for a new church in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku, dedicated to Pope John Paul II.

According to the schedule published on the social media page of the Holy See’s Secretariat of State on platform X, Archbishop Gallagher will meet with representatives of local religious communities and visit the Meryem Merkezi educational centre. He will also hold meetings with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade and will lead a service at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception in Baku.

This church was built in 2006, designed by Italian architect Paolo Ruggiero in a contemporary style with elements of neo-Gothic. Above the entrance, there is a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary created by local sculptors. 

The consecration ceremony of the church was held on April 29, 2007, by the Apostolic Nuncio to the South Caucasus, Monsignor Claudio Gugerotti. The church has a seating capacity of 200. The construction of the church was made possible by the visit of Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan in 2002. The land for the construction was gifted to the church by the country's national leader, Heydar Aliyev. I would also like to add that in Baku, there is the John Paul II Chapel and a chapel at the shelter for the homeless run by the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 

This demonstrates the dynamic, strong, and effective cooperation and interaction between Azerbaijan and the Holy See. Undoubtedly, a pivotal and significant moment in this regard was the visit of Pope John Paul II to Baku in May 2002. During his visit, the Pope visited the Martyrs' Lane, where he honored the memory of those who had fallen in the struggle for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and independence.  

The head of the Roman Catholic Church had a private meeting with Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev. In addition, the pontiff held a service for the faithful. Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev remarked at that time that the visits of the Pope to countries with a large Muslim population, including Azerbaijan, serve peace and foster mutual trust between the two great world religions.

In this regard, in October 2016, Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio), the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church, visited Baku. During that visit, much was said about the great significance of spiritual values. 

Pope Francis himself highlighted Azerbaijan's chosen path of cooperation between different cultures and religious denominations.

“I have come to this country full of admiration for the intricacy and richness of your culture, fruit of the contribution of so many peoples who in the course of history have inhabited these lands,” he said during a joint meeting with President Ilham Aliyev and public representatives.  

He noted that they have given life to a fabric of experiences, values and distinctive features which characterize contemporary society and are reflected in the prosperity of the modern Azerbaijani state. While delivering a sermon at the Catholic church in Baku, the Pope compared faith and service to the Lord to a beautiful carpet, emphasising the magnificence of Azerbaijani carpets, which are true works of art with a very ancient history. 

President Ilham Aliyev gifted the Pope an Azerbaijani carpet, a true masterpiece, as a token of appreciation. Additionally, the head of the Holy See was presented with beautiful "armudu" tea glasses, an essential element of the Azerbaijani tea ceremony.

In return, the Pope shared that one of the gifts he had presented to President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva was a painting depicting mercy in the world. The Pontiff also gifted Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva a handmade tray from Mexico, featuring an image of a toucan. The tray was adorned with a commemorative inscription dedicated by the Pope himself. 

The current visit of Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher to Azerbaijan is a testament to the successful development of Azerbaijan's relations with the Holy See and the Catholic world. Azerbaijan takes pride in its ability to contribute to the protection and preservation of the valuable cultural and religious heritage of the Catholic Church.

Practical cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, led by Azerbaijani First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva and the Pontifical Council for Culture, as well as the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, has been ongoing for over a decade. 

During this period, several important Roman catacombs, regarded as some of the most significant monuments for the Christian world, have been restored and opened to the public, including the Catacombs of Saints Marcellinus and Peter. Let us also recall the restoration of numerous sarcophagi in the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian, monuments in the Vatican Museums, as well as several artifacts in St. Peter's Basilica and the restoration of a large number of manuscripts in the Vatican Apostolic Library. 

In September 2024, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Governorate of the Vatican signed a new agreement, which will facilitate the restoration and reinforcement of the extensive ceiling decorations in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, ensuring that public access is safe by the start of the 2025 jubilee year. Azerbaijan serves as an example of respectful treatment of global cultural and religious monuments. It is also a model for fostering positive relationships with representatives of all world religions, including Catholicism, which is the predominant faith in many European countries.  

Catholics make up the majority of the population in 21 European countries, while in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, they account for about half. In the Western Hemisphere, Catholicism is widespread throughout South and Central America, as well as in Mexico, Cuba, Canada, and the US. Now, the attention of many people will turn to Baku, where the foundation stone for a new church dedicated to Pope John Paul II will be laid.