President Aliyev extends warm congratulations to Pope Francis on his election anniversary

In a gesture of goodwill and respect, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has sent a heartfelt congratulatory letter to Pope Francis on the occasion of his election anniversary, marking a milestone in the pontiff's leadership.

The details of the letter were shared on the official website of the head of state, per Caliber.Az.

“It is on the occasion of your election anniversary that, on my behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I am pleased to offer my most cordial congratulations and best wishes to you and, through you, all your fellow coreligionists,” President Aliyev wrote.

The letter also touched upon the strong and enduring relationship between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, which continues to thrive through mutual respect and cooperation. President Aliyev emphasized: “We attach the utmost significance to our years-long active and productive cooperation aimed at preserving and continuously developing inter-civilizational and interfaith dialogue and the values of multiculturalism.”

Highlighting the progress in diplomatic relations, the President noted the establishment of Azerbaijan's embassy at the Holy See, describing it as a landmark achievement: “Establishing our country’s embassy in the Holy See is a sign of our relations ascending to a qualitatively new level and a vivid manifestation of the importance we attach to advancing Azerbaijan-Holy See ties.”

By Tamilla Hasanova