Pope Francis may visit Azerbaijan
By Amina Nazarli
While Pope Francis will engage in a whirlwind of activity during the first half of 2016, well-informed circles of the papal administration informed about Pope's intention to visit the South Caucasus.
Reportedly, the visit covering Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia is scheduled for September.
Pope Francis will set out on his 12th foreign journey on February 12, this time heading for Mexico, the second most populous Catholic country in the world after Brazil where some 90 percent of its 125 million populations are Catholic.
Azerbaijan and Vatican enjoy wide relations and realize joint humanitarian and cultural projects. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation plays a big role in the development of cultural relations between the two sides, supporting restoration work at the mausoleum of St. Helena and the Roman catacombs.
In June 2015, the sides signed two agreements on restoration of a monument to Zeus, and reconstruction of Sistine Chapel at Vatican Museum.
The contribution of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation acting in a Muslim country in art and spiritual values of the Christian world is the first event in the history of Rome, and it is connected with the historical role of Azerbaijan in the dialogue between religions and cultures.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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