On December 15, Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See.

During the meeting, the Sheikhulislam spoke about Azerbaijan-Vatican relations, stating that these relations, whose foundation was laid by Heydar Aliyev, are deepening day by day.

"The high level of Azerbaijan-Vatican relations, whose foundation was laid by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, continued by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and developed through the efforts of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, makes us immensely satisfied. The Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope Francis to Azerbaijan in 2016, his sincere meeting with religious confessions at the Heydar Mosque, and our visit to the Vatican in 2022, where we were received by His Holiness the Pope, are of great value to the heads of religious confessions in Azerbaijan," emphasized the CMB Chairman.

Drawing attention to our country's religious activities in the post-war period, the CMB Chairman stated that the restoration of mosques and churches destroyed during the enemy occupation is being continued today by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, led by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva: "If you have the opportunity to visit the liberated Karabakh, you can see on the ground the work done by our state towards the restoration and protection of the religious and spiritual heritage in our territories subjected to 'culturcide'. For example, along with all other temples, the repair and protection of the Armenian church, as well as the ancient Albanian Apostolic churches, alongside mosques and other temples in the central part of the capital Baku, as well as in Karabakh, in the city of Shusha, are being carried out by our state."

Then, Paul Richard Gallagher spoke about Azerbaijan-Vatican relations, which are developing along an ascending line as a result of the targeted measures carried out under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, and expressed his satisfaction with the tolerance of the Azerbaijani people towards different religions.

The meeting continued with an official reception.