Allahshukur Pashazade met the Vatican Cardinal Cresense Sepen

The sheikh reminded the visit of the Pope John Paul II to Baku on May 2001 and his visit to Italy and Vatican with the president Ilham Aliyev in the beginning of this year. He declared that the Catholic Church always supported peace, truce and tolerance. A.Pashazade saying that the foundation of the Catholic Church was laid down in Baku yesterday called this event as an indicator of the gradual development of the relations between the two states.

The sheikhulislam invited the Pope Benedict XVI to Baku and said that an official letter in this connection will be presented to the Cardinal.

The episcope of the Orthodox Church Alexander also said that he remembers the visit to Rome with very nice impressions. He informed that although there are problems in Azerbaijan which restored its independency recently, no problem of equality and tolerance exists here. He said that this is because of the peculiarity of the Azerbaijani nation.

The head of mountainous Jews Semyon Ikhiilov informed the Cardinal that it is already several centuries that 3 communities of Jews live in Azerbaijan – ashkinazi, Guba and European Jews: “Anti-Semitism never existed in Azerbaijan and we will hope that it will not occur…” He stressed that a new synagogue was built in Baku recently, the whole Azerbaijani nation including the Sheikhulislam assisted its construction”.

The Cardinal Cresense Sepen in his turn said that he was received by the president Ilham Aliyev and the head of the state treated him with respect yesterday.

The cardinal said that usually he visit several countries when he travels, but this is an exclusive visit. The Cardinal saying that construction of the Catholic Church in Baku is a very nice event noted importance of developing two-sided relations, and invited heads of religious confessions and state counselor on national questions Hidayat Orujov participating the meeting to Vatican.

The Cardinal presented to Allahshukur Pashazade the official medal of Vatican made of gold on the occasion of 25th anniversary of his being the sheikhulislam at the end of the meeting held with participation of journalists. The Sheikh, in his turn, presented a tea-set prepared with high mastery and an album to the guest and sent presents to the Pope.