Vatican city: On October 17, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Vatican Apostolic Library, APA reports. Archbishop Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi, Head of the Apostolic Library and Apostolic Archive, provided an overview of the historical manuscripts, as well as historical sources, that have been restored and digitized. This initiative is part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed among the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the Vatican Apostolic Library, and the Vatican Apostolic Archive.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the restoration and digitization of 75 significant manuscripts, related to the history and culture of Azerbaijan including the Turkic heritage, were completed in 2013 and 2014 with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. This collaboration is expected to grant Azerbaijani scientists and researchers access to rare manuscripts, ancient maps, and valuable publications in various languages preserved in the Vatican Apostolic Library and Archive. Such access will enable them to gather new and important information about Azerbaijan’s historical and cultural heritage.
The Vatican Apostolic Library, officially established by Pope Sixtus IV in 1475, is renowned for its extensive collection, housing over 80,000 manuscripts and more than 1.6 million books related to history, religion, and culture. Its primary collections comprise ancient manuscripts, incunabula, maps, engravings, and written documents. It remains a vital resource for researchers and scholars conducting scientific studies.
The Vatican Apostolic Archive, considered one of the world’s largest historical archives, contains documents ranging from the 9th century to the present day. This archive serves as a memory repository for the Catholic Church, preserving the church’s historical decisions, positions, and diplomatic relations for future generations. It is directly overseen by the Pope and managed by a prefect appointed by him. Known for many years as the “Secret Vatican Archive,” it was renamed the Vatican Apostolic Archive by Pope Francis in 2019.
During her visit, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva presented a series of books and publications highlighting Azerbaijan’s history, nature, and cultural heritage to the Apostolic Library.