Baku, December 16, 2024 – The Europe Today: On December 16, 2024, 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, in Baku.
During the meeting, Archbishop Gallagher conveyed greetings from Pope Francis to President Aliyev. The President expressed his gratitude for the Pope’s message and requested the Archbishop to extend his regards to the Pontiff.
Reflecting on Pope Francis’s last visit to Azerbaijan in 2016, President Aliyev recalled fondly his meetings with the Pope during that trip and his subsequent visit to the Vatican in 2020. The President also extended an invitation to Pope Francis to visit Azerbaijan again in the future.
Archbishop Gallagher shared that the primary purpose of his visit was to consecrate the land allocated for the construction of a Catholic church in honor of Pope John Paul II. He expressed deep gratitude to President Aliyev for providing the land and supporting the project, describing it as a significant symbol of the growing partnership between Azerbaijan and the Holy See. He also noted that the gesture had been warmly received by Azerbaijan’s Catholic community.
President Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the church’s construction and emphasized that Archbishop Gallagher’s visit and the consecration of the land underscored the importance of the Holy See’s relationship with the Catholic community in Azerbaijan. He stressed that the church would stand as a symbol of the strong bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and the Vatican.
The Archbishop also praised the contributions of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev in fostering an environment of peace and harmony among religious communities in Azerbaijan. He lauded the respect shown to representatives of different faiths and denominations, calling this approach a defining characteristic of Azerbaijan’s inclusive society.
President Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s longstanding traditions of multiculturalism, noting that the country has been a model of peaceful coexistence for people of diverse ethnicities and religions. He expressed pride in the harmonious relations between Azerbaijan’s Catholic community, government officials, and society, underscoring this as a key factor in enhancing the nation’s international reputation.
The President also reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to multiculturalism and emphasized the importance of a peaceful, friendly, and harmonious environment for all religious and ethnic groups in the country. He outlined Azerbaijan’s role in global interfaith and intercultural dialogue, recalling the country’s regular hosting of international events that foster cooperation and mutual understanding.
Archbishop Gallagher extended his congratulations to Azerbaijan on the successful organization of COP29, noting the significant role played by the country in addressing climate change. President Aliyev highlighted the global summit of religious leaders held prior to COP29, during which an appeal was made to the international community regarding climate action. He emphasized Azerbaijan’s efforts to bridge various stakeholders during the summit and the successful outcomes achieved through negotiations.
The discussion also touched on regional issues, with President Aliyev reaffirming Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region. The situation in the Middle East was also addressed, with President Aliyev reiterating Azerbaijan’s readiness to assist in addressing humanitarian challenges in Syria, in consultation with brotherly Türkiye, following the collapse of the Assad regime.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Archbishop Gallagher presented President Ilham Aliyev with a commemorative keepsake.
