Vatican city: First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva attended the opening ceremony of the restoration project of the Catacombs of Commodilla, a project supported by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Mehriban Aliyeva, during her official visit to the Vatican, participated in the ceremony alongside her family members. Monsignor Pasquale Iacobone, President of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, welcomed the First Vice-President, along with Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture, and Amedeo Ciaccheri, President of the Municipality of Rome VIII.

Monsignor Iacobone acknowledged Aliyeva’s long-standing cooperation with the commission and expressed gratitude for her presence at the event. He highlighted previous collaborations with Azerbaijan, which included the restoration of the Saint Marcellino and Pietro Catacombs and the Saint Sebastian Catacombs, facilitated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi spoke about his friendship with Azerbaijan, having visited the country three times and been awarded the ‘Dostlug’ (Friendship) Order by President Ilham Aliyev. He praised the relationship developed over the years and noted the First Vice-President’s commitment to archaeology.

Mehriban Aliyeva expressed her honor in visiting the Vatican, marking her sixth visit over the past 14 years. She stressed Azerbaijan’s historical commitment to religious tolerance and expressed confidence in the growing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican as a model for others.

President of the VIII Municipality of Rome, Amedeo Ciaccheri, voiced his appreciation for the restoration efforts led by Aliyeva and noted his involvement in the project over the years.

The restoration of the Catacombs of Commodilla, which dates back to the 18th century, involved advanced technologies, including nanotechnology and laser technology, to preserve the site’s structural integrity and protect its frescoes. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s support ensured the preservation of this significant archaeological site, which holds early Christian artifacts and was a medieval pilgrimage site.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s contribution to restoring global cultural heritage is recognized by the Holy See as an exemplary model of international cooperation and intercultural dialogue.