Cardinal Koovakad's Azerbaijan visit strengthens interreligious dialogue

“Fire,” a term traditionally associated with the meaning attributed to the people of Azerbaijan. “Wind,” an element for which its capital, Baku, is known. These two symbols—representing love and harmony—lie at the heart of the joint commitment that the Holy See and the Caucasian country are renewing through the visit of the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, 15 - 19 June.

On the afternoon of 18 June, at the residence of the Sheikh ul-Islam of the Caucasus, Allahshukur Pashazade, in Baku, the Cardinal delivered a speech expressing gratitude for the warm welcome received and for the long-standing friendship linking the Holy See with the religious communities of Azerbaijan.

In the presence of the Apostolic Prefect of the country, Vladimír Fekete, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Holy See, Ilgar Mukhtarov, and representatives of local Christian and Jewish communities, Cardinal Koovakad recalled the visits made to the country by John Paul II in 2002 and by Pope Francis in 2016.

These visits, together with numerous meetings and initiatives, have strengthened the ties between the two sides.