SHEIKH-UL-ISLAM ALLAHSHUKUR PASHAZADE VISITED THE VATICAN APOSTOLIC LIBRARY

On March 9, an Azerbaijani delegation led by Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, visited the Vatican Apostolic Library as part of an official visit to the Holy See. The delegation also includes Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan; Bishop Alexiy of Baku and Azerbaijan; Robert Mobili, Chairman of the Alban-Udi Christian Community; and Alexander Sharovsky, Chairman of the Baku Community of European Jews.

The Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library, Don Mauro Mantovani, welcomed the guests and provided information about the history and activities of the library. He noted that founded in 1475, the Vatican Apostolic Library is one of the oldest and most renowned scientific and cultural centers in the world. For centuries it has preserved millions of books and tens of thousands of manuscripts. It was also noted that the library’s collection includes around 60 rare manuscripts related to Azerbaijan.

During the visit, the delegation also toured the Vatican Gardens and viewed a pomegranate tree presented to the Vatican by Azerbaijan. The tree was planted on October 17, 2025, by the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva and the President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Sister Raffaella Petrini, as a symbol of friendship and mutual respect between Azerbaijan and the Holy See.

As part of the visit, an iftar reception will also be held in Rome at Azerbaijan’s initiative. The event will be attended by Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, as well as representatives of Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious communities.

Amid growing tensions and conflicts in the world, these meetings and initiatives carry particular significance in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding and peace.