MORE INFLUENTIAL THAN A SOVEREIGN

-It has been broadcast on the Azerbaijani media that the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, is to visit Baku. Is there any truth to this news?

- Naturally we would be glad to hear that the Pope was coming to Baku, but for the moment there has not been any confirmation that Pope Francis will either be visiting the South Caucasus or Azerbaijan specifically. At the present time, the Pontiff is scheduled to make pre-arranged visits to Mexico and other Latin American countries. The Vatican's official press service has not released any announcements on a visit to the Southern Caucasus region. The Azerbaijani press reported this news, quoting some kind of official circles. I have learnt from the papal [Apostolic] nuncio in Tbilisi, who is the ambassador of the Holy See in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, that the possibility of Pope Francis making a visit to Azerbaijan and other republics in the region is being discussed in the Vatican. 

From our point of view, Azerbaijan is a hospitable country and is always ready to welcome visitors. Therefore I think that not only local Catholics would be pleased if Pope Francis were to make a visit, but also the whole of Azerbaijani society. We still remember the successful visit to Baku by Pope John Paul II I in 2002, so it remains for us to hope that the current pontiff will also come to Azerbaijan.

Pope Francis has received official invitations from the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, but for the moment no specific details on the possibility of such a visit have been released.

- In Armenia they are hoping that Pope Francis' visit can be timed to coincide with the anniversary of the so-called "Armenian genocide", which is being marked in Yerevan at the end of April…

- The Armenian media were broadcasting reports on a visit by Pope Francis back in autumn 2014. But there was obviously no visit in 2015. At a meeting with the papal nuncio in Tbilisi at the beginning of January, I discussed the fact that the Armenian public is insistently convinced that Pope Francis will soon visit Yerevan to mark the 101th anniversary of that sorrowful day. But the Armenian's request is evidently not being fulfilled this year. If the visit were scheduled for April, the Vatican press service would already have made the relevant announcement.

Depending on the time needed to arrange such a visit, news of Pope Francis' intended visit would be released in a timely fashion, from four to six months beforehand. For example, when the pontiff visited four countries in Africa, it was announced four months in advance, including reports on his itinerary during the visit. So, if Pope Francis were to make a visit to Baku, we would learn about it in June this year so the visit might be in September. We are very much hoping that the pontiff will visit the Azerbaijani capital. 

- Why is such a fuss always made with regard to visits by the Pope? No trip by the leaders of the world's leading countries is such a focus of the press's attention nor is there so much comment and discussion relating to it as when the head of the Vatican makes a trip.

- The pontiff is not only the head of a small state which is not particularly important from an economic, political or military point of view, but he is at the same time the spiritual leader of one of the world's religions, the Catholic Church. The Pope is treated with greater attention and respect than an ordinary leader of a country because, as a religious leader, by his behaviour and exhortations he gets everyone's attention focused on an awareness and acceptance of the values that are very important for the future of mankind.

- In the event of a visit taking place, what will the pontiff's message be to a restless region like the South Caucasus?

- Pope Francis has declared 2016 to be a year of mercy for all Catholics. This year we should try to forgive one another, so that the Almighty forgives us. I think that, against the backdrop of the brutal wars being waged in the world, the terrorism and hatred, Pope Francis' main message will be that everyone should be merciful. The essence of this is a plea for forgiveness of man for past wrongdoings in order to start building a new future life. 

- Recently a very warm meeting took place between representatives of two world religions, Pope Francis and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. At the same time, conflicts are blazing away in the Middle East and Central and South-East Asia, of which, judging by the comments made by those involved, the underlying cause appears to be religion.

 - Recently the respected chairman of the Caucasian Muslims' Office, Sheikh-al-Islam Allahsukur Pashazada and representatives of other religious communities took part in a major event where these kinds of problems were discussed. If we look at the true state of affairs, such confessions as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are called upon to respect other people, since we are all created in God's likeness. Unfortunately there are political trends and perhaps some branches of religion that distort people's feelings in order to please the Almighty. They do not exhort people to respect the Almighty in the correct way, but incite them to do things which have nothing whatsoever to do with true religion.

Another problem is that believers, frequently young people, do not receive their knowledge of religion from completely conscientious sources. Yes, in the course of history there have been wars, battles and hatred motivated by religious factors. But all religious leaders have condemned what happened in the past. That should not be justified and apologies need to be made. Pope John Paul II apologised for the things Catholics had committed. Now we need to build a society of love and respect for on another, so religion can play a very positive role in doing this. Naturally, there are sects and trends that sow fanaticism, but this is a distortion of religion.

- How do Catholics living in Azerbaijan feel?

- Although Catholics do not form a numerous, influential religious community in Azerbaijan, we are frequently invited to governmental meetings and events. This is proof of the respect for Catholics on the part of the government and other religious communities. Representatives of other confessions often take part in our events. Our parishioners and I are very pleased about that. We attempt to ensure that the Catholic community in Azerbaijan is always respectful towards other religions. Religious leaders are supposed to create an atmosphere of respect among the religious communities. It is possible that we do not share your theological views, but we feel sure that you are our brothers. This creates an area for joint projects and cooperation.

- In his book "Popes of the World", the Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin wrote that Pope Francis is prepared to go on peace missions if he feels sure that his presence can help to establish peace. The cardinal did not specify precisely which regions he had in mind. Could such a peace mission take place in the South Caucasus region, where the Nagornyy Karabakh and Georgian-Russian conflicts are going on?

- If we take into account that the Pope is not solely a man of God, but also a political figure, then I feel sure that his visit and speeches could play a positive role in establishing peace and trust in the region. The main thing is that the pontiff's sermons could have a positive influence on the hearts of all those attending his gatherings. In particular, this could stop the actions of people who are under the influence of brutal forces. There are many Catholic countries in the world that the Pope has not visited. A visit to Azerbaijan would be a considerable achievement and would have a positive impact on the establishment of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It is noteworthy that Pope John Paul II visited Baku at a time when there was not even a Catholic church here. This is evidence of the Vatican's respect for the Azerbaijani state.