President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot on June 16.
“Elchi” reports that during the conversation, the successful development of relations between our country and the Holy See was emphasized, and the role of mutual visits at various levels in the development of our bilateral ties was touched upon. In this regard, the importance of Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot’s upcoming visit to the regions of Azerbaijan was noted.
Expressing his gratitude for the reception and the hospitality shown, the Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue conveyed the greetings of Pope Francis and the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the head of state.
President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the greetings and asked to convey his own greetings to the Pope and the Vatican Secretary of State.
The head of state recalled with pleasure his visit to the Vatican and his meeting with Pope Francis, as well as the Pope’s visit to our country.
During the conversation, it was noted with satisfaction that representatives of all peoples and religions have historically lived in Azerbaijan as one family in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect, and the important contributions of our country, as a space of tolerance and multiculturalism, to the development of interreligious and intercultural dialogue at the global level were emphasized.
The activities of the Catholic Church of the Holy See in Azerbaijan were noted, and it was stated that a second such church is being built in our country.
Cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Holy See was touched upon, and the role of the projects implemented by the Foundation in this country in terms of protecting cultural heritage and promoting interreligious dialogue was noted.
At the meeting, an exchange of views took place on the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See and issues of mutual interest.
The head of state presented to Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot a letter of invitation for Pope Francis to visit our country.
