APA conducted an interview with Archbishop Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi, Archivist and Librarian of the Holy Roman Church. During the interview, he shared his views on Azerbaijan-Holy See relations, cultural cooperation, interfaith dialogue, and the preservation of historical heritage. The full interview is presented below:
- First of all, thank you for accepting our interview request. Some time ago, you visited Azerbaijan. Could you share your overall impressions of the visit? How do you assess its outcomes, and what can you say about the meetings held during your stay?
- Our delegation consisted of the Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archive, the Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library, and myself. All three of us returned with a sense of fulfillment. We met a people with an ancient history who are at the same time modern, dignified, and rich in culture. The results of the visit are very promising. On the one hand, they strengthen the already strong ties between the two Vatican institutions and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and on the other, they have identified new avenues for collaboration.
- How would you assess the relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See? What areas offer the greatest potential for closer cooperation in the years ahead?
- From the perspective of the two Vatican institutions that I direct, relations are very good and promising. They are founded first and foremost on a cultural level. On account of its geographic location, Azerbaijan is a crossroads of peoples and cultures. This fact makes it appreciate the two institutions—the Vatican Apostolic Archive and the Vatican Apostolic Library—that preserve and promote not only the memory of the Church but of humanity as a whole.
- Over the past 15 years, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Vatican have developed close cooperation and successfully implemented a number of projects. What are your thoughts on this cooperation? In your view, what values bring the two sides together?
- The Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s thoughtful generosity to the Vatican Apostolic Archive and the Vatican Apostolic Library has contributed to several important projects both past and present. I am convinced that even the simple task of drafting project agreements, where the needs and sensitivities of the parties are addressed with mutual respect, is a sign of friendship. Good things that benefit all participants always arise from such friendship.
- Azerbaijan actively supports interfaith and intercultural dialogue and works closely with international partners to organize conferences and forums in these areas. These efforts have been highly appreciated by the Holy See. The Catholic community in Baku enjoys favorable conditions for its activities, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary operates with state support. What concrete initiatives could further strengthen the partnership between Azerbaijan and the Holy See?
- I speak only from the perspective of the two institutions that I direct: culture is a great public square, open and hospitable, where men and women, people and nations of good will can meet and appreciate one another with a modicum of normal effort. Those who contribute to the construction and maintenance of this public square also foster interreligious dialogue and peace.
- Azerbaijan protects and restores numerous Christian religious heritage sites. In addition, upon the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, construction is currently underway in Baku on the second Catholic church, which will bear the name of Saint John Paul II. How do you assess these initiatives, and what message do you think they send regarding Azerbaijan's commitment to interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance?
- Azerbaijan supports an official state institution to promote dialogue between the religions present in Azerbaijan, which demonstrates the State’s intention to consider each religion as a truly free interlocutor. Each religion will be able to live in freedom if its proper public dynamics are respected and its legitimate requests are considered by the bureaucratic apparatus according to the law, which is applied equally for everyone.
- The Vatican Apostolic Library preserves manuscripts and documents of outstanding importance to the history of humanity. In your opinion, which of its treasures are the most significant? The Library also holds manuscripts related to Azerbaijan and the wider region. In addition, the Vatican Apostolic Archive contains historical documents, including correspondence between the Popes and the medieval rulers of Azerbaijan, among them Shah Ismail Khatai, the founder and ruler of the Safavid State. What can you tell us about these documents and their historical importance? Do you think it would be possible in the future to provide Azerbaijan with copies of this correspondence as part of cultural and academic cooperation?
- Your question indicates something that I mentioned earlier: these two Vatican institutions are not only the memory of the Church but of the entire world. This is why support for institutions like these is a sign of care for one’s own people. I believe that the academic collaborations already underway between the Vatican Archives and Library could permit the consideration of sharing some copies of documents, in full compliance with the current law of the Holy See.
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