Aliyev: Pope`s Visit to Azerbaijan Important for Dialogue among Civilizations

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Pope Francis who arrived in Azerbaijan. The talks were preceded by the ceremony of meeting the Pope at the President's residence Ganjlik.

"Your visit to Azerbaijan is of great importance for the Azerbaijan-Vatican relations, including dialogue among civilizations," Aliyev said during the meeting with Pope Francis.

He called the visit of the head of the Holy See to Azerbaijan "historic".

"Your visit is a historical one. Thank you for accepting my invitation and paying a visit to Azerbaijan," said Aliyev.

He also noted that "representatives of all religions live in Azerbaijan in terms of friendship, like a family."

Upon arrival, the Pope made a Mass in the metropolitan church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He urged the people to peace, love and justice. Prior to the Mass, the Pope held a number of religious ceremonies in the Catholic Church in Baku.

In turn, the ordinary of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, Vladimir Fekete asked Pope Francis to continue to pray for reconciliation in the Caucasus.

Pontiff was presented a carpet with an image of the Catholic Church in Baku. -06D--