Vatican city: First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, during her official visit to the Holy See. This meeting marked another milestone in the growing relationship between Azerbaijan and the Vatican.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, this visit was Mehriban Aliyeva’s sixth to the Vatican over the past 14 years. She emphasized that the relationship between Azerbaijan and the Holy See is built on mutual respect and friendship. Aliyeva highlighted the contributions made by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which has played a crucial role in restoring several important heritage sites. She reaffirmed that this collaborative effort would persist in the future.

During the meeting, the First Vice-President referred to her earlier participation in the opening ceremony of the Catacombs of Saint Commodilla. She described Rome as an open-air museum and expressed her commitment to sustaining the partnership by continuously launching new projects upon the completion of previous ones.

Cardinal James Harvey expressed his gratitude to the Azerbaijani state and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for their significant restoration projects. He acknowledged St. Paul’s historical importance in the development of Catholic and Christian communities and praised the work done by Azerbaijan as an opportunity for greater cultural exchange and understanding.

The Cardinal also highlighted the restoration of the fa§ades of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, which was undertaken with support from Azerbaijan. He noted that this restoration is vital for ensuring the safety of the numerous visitors to Rome and holds exceptional significance for the site.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a keepsake was presented to the Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, symbolizing the strong ties and ongoing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See.