Visit to Vatican

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva was on a visit to Vatican over the course of October 16 to 17, 2025.

Inauguration of the Holy Commodilla catacombs after the completion of the restoration project

On October 16, the First vice-president and family members attended the inauguration of the Holy Commodilla catacombs after the completion of the restoration project implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and became familiar with the restoration works performed.   

President of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, Monsignor Pasquale Iacabone, former President of the Pontifical Council for Culture and for Sacred Archaeology Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, and President of the 8^th Municipality of Rome Amedeo Ciaccheri welcomed First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva. 

Inauguration of the Holy Commodilla catacombs restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation took place. 

Meeting with the chief priest of the Basilica of Saint Paul

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with the chief priest of the Basilica of Saint Paul, Cardinal James Harvey, October 16.

Underscoring that this was her sixth visit to the Holy See over the course of the last 14 years, First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva noted that, during these years, relations between the states have developed, relying on strong foundation, mutual respect, and friendship. Bringing to attention the support provided by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to several significant restoration projects during these years, she noted that the foundation will go on carrying out such activities. 

Mentioning that they jointly participated in the inauguration of the Holy Commodilla catacombs, Mehriban Aliyeva brought to attention that this was one of the large projects of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and said: “Rome is a city with both underground and overground parts being museums in the open air. We have built our activity in a way that as soon as some projects come to an end, we launch new projects. This is very sustainable cooperation, and I highly appreciate it”. 

Chief priest cardinal James Harvey thanked, on behalf of the Holy See, the state of Azerbaijan and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for implementing such significant projects and for the works done. 

Chief priest cardinal of the Basilica of Saint Paul James Harvey was presented a keepsake.

Becoming familiar with the restoration works at the Basilica of Saint Paul 

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, together with chief priest of the Basilica of Saint Paul cardinal James Harvey, became familiar with the restoration and construction works carried out with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Vatican, October 16.

Priest Don Lodovico Turrisi and architect Marco Chiraci provided First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva with the information about the church, and the works done. 

Mehriban Aliyeva pays a visit to Bambino Gesu Hospital, the largest paediatric hospital in Europe

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Bambino Gesu Hospital, the largest paediatric hospital in Europe, October 16. 

Here, the First vice-president became familiar with the molecular-genetics and clinical diagnostics laboratories. 

President of the Bambino Gesu Paediatric Hospital Tiziano Onesti informed First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva of the laboratories. 

Meeting with Pope Leo XIV

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva, within the framework of her visit to the Holy See, met with Pope Leo IV, October 17.

Thanking for being received by Pope Leo IV, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva underscored the significant development in the relations and bilateral ties between Vatican and Azerbaijan for recent years. The First vice-president brought to attention that during recent years, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has participated in restoration works and carried out several works in scientific studies, and cultural exchanges with the Holy See. 

The First vice-president noted that based on agreements signed between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Vatican, after completion of some projects, execution of new projects was given the start.

Mehriban Aliyeva said that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation would broaden its cooperation with the Holy See, putting forward new initiatives. 

At the meeting was given information about the activity of the Catholic Church of the Holy See in Azerbaijan, as well as preparation works carried out in connection with the construction of the second Catholic Church.

Pope Leo XIV brought to attention that the bilateral cooperation between the state of Vatican and Azerbaijan has a long history. Underscoring that the relations developed significantly thanks to the initiatives put forward by Mehriban khanum a few years earlier, Pope thanked the First vice-president. Pope Leo XIV noted that this cooperation significantly influenced the dialogue between religions and civilizations, and that from this standpoint, Azerbaijan is in the forefront among the world countries.

Saying that Vatican was interested in continuing such projects with Azerbaijan, the head of the Holy See asked to convey his thanks to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the allocation of a land plot to construct the second Catholic Church. Pope expressed his gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the works performed.

First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva, thanking the head of the Holy See, invited Pope to Azerbaijan. 

Meeting with the state secretary of Vatican 

On October 17, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with state secretary of Vatican cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Expressing delight in seeing cardinal Pietro Parolin again, First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva congratulated the catholic world on “The Jubilee Year”.

Thanking for Vatican’s state secretary’s participation in COP29 events held in Azerbaijan in November last year, the First Vice-president expressed satisfaction with the dynamics of development in the cooperation with the Holy See in recent years.

Underscoring that Azerbaijan was a country embodying religious tolerance and multiculturalism values, Mehriban Aliyeva noted that this was both a state policy and the lifestyle of the society. Talking about the works carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of the cooperation with the Holy See, the Vice-president noted that there was great potential to advance these relations further. Mentioning that relations with the catholic community in our country were on a high level, the First Vice-president said: “The issue raised by the state secretary in Azerbaijan in November last year, i.e. construction of the second Catholic Church in our country, has been resolved positively. A positive decision was taken by President Ilham Aliyev in this regard, and construction of the second Catholic Church will take the start soon”. Mehriban Aliyeva noted that in Azerbaijan, cardinal Pietro Parolin is regarded as a close friend of our country and the people, thanking him for speedy and successful development of our cooperation. 

Saying that he was honoured to see First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva again, Pietro Parolin expressed his gratitude to the state of Azerbaijan and, personally, President Ilham Aliyev for their endeavour to lift the relations to this level. Recalling his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev during his visit to Azerbaijan in connection with COP29 in November last year, he valued this as an expression of respect towards the Holy See.  Talking about the projects implemented with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the cardinal valued this cooperation as significant. Bringing to attention that there were exemplary relations between the catholic community acting in Azerbaijan and the state of Azerbaijan, he underscored the importance of strengthening the cooperation between our states, and said: “Construction of the second Catholic Church in Baku is very commendable, and we thank Azerbaijan for this. This is an expression of care and respects towards all religions in your country. In this sense, Azerbaijan is a role model for many countries”.

Cardinal brought to attention that Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Baku Bishop Vladimir Fekete was decorated by President Ilham Aliyev with the order of “Friendship”, saying that  this is another sign of respect for the Holy See. 

State Secretary Pietro Parolin congratulated our country on the signing a Joint Declaration by Azerbaijan, Armenia and USA and the initialling the peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on August 8, expressing Vatican’s unambiguous support for restoring peace in the region. 

Expressing her gratitude to Cardinal Pietro Parolin for congratulations, First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva, highly appreciating the results of the Washington Summit, underscored that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia remained loyal to the peace agenda, and that she was hopeful sustainable peace would be restored in the region. 

Meeting with the president of the Vatican City-state governorate

On October 17, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva met with President of the Vatican City-state governorate, nun Raffaella Petrini. 

At the meeting held in a respectful manner, exchange of opinions was held on the perspectives of the actual cooperation between Azerbaijan and Vatican in cultural, religious and humanitarian spheres. 

Tree-planting ceremony in the Vatican Gardens  

On October 17, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and family members participated in a tree planting ceremony in the Vatican Gardens together with President of the Vatican City-state governorate, nun Raffaella Petrini. 

A gift from the Azerbaijani side to the Holy See and brought from our country, the pomegranate tree is regarded the symbol of source of life, marital integrity, abundance, and productivity in our republic. It was noted that pomegranate, with its many beneficial features, is widely used in various aspects of our culture. 

The pomegranate tree planted in the Vatican Gardens, which is of great importance in historical, architectural and religious terms, will embody the friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See. 

Expressing deep gratitude to Mehriban Aliyeva for such a valuable present, President of the Vatican City-state governorate, nun Raffaella Petrini emphasized that it would be a significant symbol of the growing friendship and cooperation between our states. 

Becoming familiar with the works performed at the Saint Peter Basilica 

On October 17, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva became familiar with the restoration works performed at the Saint Peter Basilica in Vatican with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. 

Chief priest of the Saint Peter Basilica cardinal Mauro Gambetti informed First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva of the restoration works performed there. 

Visiting the Vatican Apostolic Library 

On October 17, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Vatican Apostolic Library.

Head of the Apostolic Library and Apostolic Archive Archbishop Monsieur Giovanni Giezare Pagatzi informed First Vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva of the historical manuscripts restored and digitalized within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Vatican Apostolic Archive, as well as of the historic sources. 

Mehriban Aliyeva presented several books and publications about the history of Azerbaijan, its nature and cultural heritage to the Apostolic Library.   

The administrative office of Azerbaijan in the Holy See is inaugurated 

On October 17, a grand opening of the administrative office of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Holy See took place. 

First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and State Secretary of Vatican Cardinal Pietro Parolin attended the event. 

Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Holy See Ilgar Mukhtarov gave information about the Embassy’s administrative office. It was noted that the administrative office of the Embassy was located in the neighbourhood of Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, at Via Giongialiazione, the main street leading to the Saint Peter Basilica. 

It was brought to attention that the relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Holy See have, recent years, been developed progressively, relying on mutual interests, respect, and fruitful cooperation, and this partnership is deepening and branching. 

Then, First Vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and State Secretary of Vatican cardinal Pietro Parolin held exchange of opinions on bilateral relations, international agenda, and other issues being of mutual interest. 

16-17 October 2025