Member of European Parliament Anna Fotyga thanked the Azerbaijani authorities and all involved persons for a wonderful symbol. She also mentioned that the symbol by Azerbaijani authorities and all involved persons as the unveiling of the monument of Pope John Paul II in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baku.
He added, “I remember this temple well from my visits to the capital of Azerbaijan.”
While highlighting the brief piece of information regarding the visit of John Paul II, MEP Fotyga expressed that the result of the visit of John Paul II to Azerbaijan on May 22-23, 2002, was not only an agreement for the construction of a temple.
In regard to this, the pope met with the country’s small Catholic population – about 150 people in a nation of 7 million and the vast majority of Azeris are Muslim in Baku. The Catholic presence in Azerbaijan was so small that no church residence existed.
As per the reports, John Paul II had been travelling for many years, but this trip marked the first time in his papacy that he stayed in a hotel. On Thursday, he was scheduled to meet with Azeri President Heydar Aliyev and celebrate mass at a sports arena.
Additionally, MEP Fotyga expressed that the agreement is important for local Catholics but also for broad cooperation for intercultural and interreligious dialogue and the protection of the world’s cultural, historical and religious heritage.
According to the sources, In 1978, Pope John Paul II was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State until he died in 2005. He was later canonised as Pope Saint John Paul II and dabbled in stage acting in his youth.
“The work of a saint is wonderful. John Paul II is close to the hearts of the Azeris and still bears fruit”, said MEP Anna Fotyga
