On December 16, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
Archbishop Gallagher conveyed greetings from Pope Francis to President Aliyev, who expressed his gratitude and asked the Archbishop to extend his regards to the Pope.
Recalling Pope Francis’s 2016 visit to Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev fondly remembered their meetings during that visit and his own 2020 trip to the Vatican. He also extended an invitation to the Pope to visit Azerbaijan again.
Archbishop Gallagher stated that the main purpose of his visit was to consecrate the land allocated for the construction of a Catholic church dedicated to John Paul II. He expressed deep gratitude to President Aliyev for providing the land and supporting the project, describing it as a testament to the strong partnership between Azerbaijan and the Holy See. He noted that this gesture has been warmly received by Azerbaijan’s Catholic community.
President Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with the church’s construction, stating that the land’s consecration and Archbishop Gallagher’s visit underscored the importance of the Holy See’s relationship with Azerbaijan’s Catholic community. He emphasized that the church would stand as a symbol of the strong bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and the Vatican.
Archbishop Gallagher praised the efforts of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev in fostering an environment of peace and harmony for all religious communities in Azerbaijan. He highlighted Azerbaijan’s respect for different religions and denominations, calling this one of the country’s distinguishing features.
President Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan’s long-standing traditions of multiculturalism, emphasizing that people of various ethnicities and faiths have always lived together in peace and harmony. He highlighted that this harmonious coexistence is both a traditional way of life for the Azerbaijani people and a cornerstone of state policy.
Archbishop Gallagher noted the strong relations between Azerbaijan’s Catholic community, government officials, and society, stating that this serves as a key factor in enhancing Azerbaijan’s international reputation. He also praised the effective meetings held during his visit.
President Aliyev expressed pride in these developments and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to multiculturalism and multi-ethnicity. He stated that the peaceful coexistence of diverse nationalities and religious communities strengthens Azerbaijan and significantly contributes to societal harmony and stability.
The President also highlighted Azerbaijan’s contributions to international interfaith and intercultural dialogue. He expressed satisfaction with the country’s hosting of global events aimed at fostering cooperation and understanding among different cultures and religions.
Archbishop Gallagher congratulated Azerbaijan on the successful organization of COP29.
President Aliyev noted that a global summit of religious leaders had been held in the lead-up to COP29, during which an appeal was made to the international community to address climate change. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s efforts to build bridges among various stakeholders during COP29 and highlighted the successful outcomes of the negotiations conducted within its framework.
The meeting also included discussions on regional and international issues. President Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus. Additionally, the situation in the Middle East was addressed. President Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan’s readiness to assist in resolving humanitarian challenges faced by the Syrian people, in coordination with brotherly Türkiye, following the collapse of the Assad regime.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Archbishop Gallagher presented a keepsake to President Aliyev.
