Azerbaijan and Vatican sign agreement to restore Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

The document was signed by Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, along with Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City.

During the meeting, attended by high-ranking officials including Cardinal Vérgez Alzaga, discussions covered the relationship between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, alongside joint projects with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The foundation has previously played a key role in the restoration of various important Vatican landmarks and remains committed to cultural heritage preservation.

The Azerbaijani delegation also toured the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. The restoration project is set to prepare the basilica for an expected influx of over 30 million Catholic pilgrims during the Vatican’s Jubilee Year in 2025. This work will help ensure the safety and accessibility of the site for visitors.