Mehriban Aliyeva meets with Tarcisio Bertone, Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Secretary of State and Camerlengo

As part of her visit to Italy, First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva met with Tarcisio Bertone, Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, currently serving as Cardinal Secretary of State and Camerlengo, November 29.

Prior to the meeting, Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva was familiarized with the Palace of the Vatican, which covers more than 1000 rooms decorated with gems of universal culture, as well works by Michelangelo and Rafael.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone emphasized that relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries are developing and underlined the increasing role of Azerbaijan in intercultural dialogue platform. From this point of view, the International Humanitarian Forum, which was held in Azerbaijan this year and involved representatives of the Holy See, gains special importance, Tarcisio Bertone said.

The Cardinal Secretary of State praised the conditions created for the Catholic community in Azerbaijan.

Stressing the importance of projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in conjunction with the State of the City of the Vatican, Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva expressed confidence that cooperation will continue.

The First Lady of Azerbaijan asked Tarcisio Bertone to pass on President Ilham Aliyev’s greetings to Pope Benedict XVI and on behalf of the Azerbaijani President invited the Pope to visit Azerbaijan.

Mrs Aliyeva presented a specimen of the Azerbaijani art of carpet-making to the Cardinal to hand on to the Pope.

On behalf of the Pope, Tarcisio Bertone awarded the First Lady of Azerbaijan with a golden medal instituted by the Vatican and a book containing a reproduction of XVII century reflecting plants and patterns existing in Rome and their comments.