Aliyev invites pope to visit Azerbaijan

BAKU. June 16 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See, in Baku on Tuesday.

The parties discussed the development of bilateral cooperation, a statement on the Azerbaijani presidential website says.

Aliyev and Koovakad addressed the activities of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan and discussed the construction of a second Catholic church in the country.

"In addition, the parties touched upon cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Holy See and noted the role of projects being implemented by the Foundation in this country in terms of preserving cultural heritage and promoting interfaith dialogue," it said.

Aliyev handed Koovakad a letter inviting Pope Leo XIV to visit Azerbaijan.