President Ilham Aliyev has officially invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Azerbaijan.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Ilham Aliyev extended the formal invitation on June 16 during a meeting with Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See.
The invitation underscores the ongoing efforts by Azerbaijan to foster interfaith dialogue and strengthen diplomatic ties with the Vatican. Azerbaijan, a country known for its multicultural and multi-religious heritage, has historically maintained positive relations with the Holy See, emphasizing the importance of peace, tolerance, and cooperation between different religious communities. Such high-level diplomatic exchanges are significant in promoting Azerbaijan's role as a global hub for intercultural dialogue and religious harmony.