Pope Francis has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the occasion of the country's Independence Day.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the message reads as follows:
"Your Excellency,
On the occasion of your National Day, I am pleased to convey to Your Excellency and to your people my best wishes for solidarity and prosperity.
I pray to Almighty God that He may inspire the people of Azerbaijan to further develop their society. May they always be promoters of peace, working for the common good, defending the dignity of every person, and assisting those in need.
I invoke divine blessings upon Your Excellency, those responsible for public affairs, and all your fellow citizens."
May 28 is celebrated annually in Azerbaijan as Independence Day, marking the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918. It was the first secular parliamentary republic in the Muslim world. The Vatican and Azerbaijan maintain diplomatic relations characterized by mutual respect and dialogue, with the Holy See frequently engaging in interfaith initiatives hosted by Baku to promote religious tolerance and multiculturalism.
