Azerbaijan is strengthening its relations with the Vatican and the Catholic world, supporting the restoration of historic catacombs in the Holy See and in parallel by building a new Catholic church in Azerbaijan.

Baku

Azerbaijan's first vice-president, Mihriban Aliyeva, attended the reopening of the restored Kamadila catacombs in Rome, a project supported by the Haidar Aliyev Foundation. The restoration used advanced technology to preserve early Christian frescoes and tombs, and was praised for promoting interfaith dialogue and heritage preservation.

During her visit, Aliyeva met with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican officials, planted a symbolic pomegranate tree, and viewed rare Azerbaijani manuscripts at the Vatican Apostolic Library. The trip also included the signing of a new agreement for Azerbaijani doctors to collaborate with Italian colleagues on pediatric research, and the announcement of a new Catholic church under construction in Baku, reflecting expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Vatican.

Azerbaijan strengthens ties with Vatican with restorations in Holy See

In Rome, Azerbaijan's first vice-president Mihriban Aliyeva attended the reopening of the restored catacombs of Kamadila, a 4th-century Christian site revived with support from the Haidar Aliyev Foundation. Bergen officials praised Azerbaijan's role in preserving world heritage and strengthening interfaith dialogue. The catacombs contain some of the earliest Christian frescoes and tombs of martyrs Felicissimus and Agapitus. Azerbaijan teams used laser and nanotechnology methods to safeguard the fragile paintings and stabilize the underground walls. During her visit, Aliyeva met with Pope Leo XIV, where the Pope underlined interreligious dialogue with Azerbaijan. She also met Vatican City governor Raffaele Petrini. Together, they planted a symbolic pomegranate tree, a gesture of friendship and shared heritage between the two states. At the Vatican Apostolic Library, she viewed rare Azerbaijani manuscripts preserved with the Foundation's support. Cooperation with the library has helped digitize and protect centuries-old texts and maps of the region. Aliyeva also visited Europe's largest pediatrics research center, the Bambina Gesso Children's Hospital, where a new agreement will allow Azerbaijani doctors to work with Italian colleagues on genetic and rare disease research. Beyond Rome, a new Catholic church dedicated to St. John Paul II is being built in Baku, blessed by Vatican Secretary Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. From the ancient catacombs to modern construction sites, the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Holy See continues to grow through culture, science, and mutual respect.

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