BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 30. The Governorate of
Vatican City State and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation signed another
agreement on restoration of monuments at Basilica of Saint Paul,
Trend reports.


The document was inked by Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to the
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Executive Director of the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Sister Raffaella Petrini, President
of the Governorate of Vatican City State, during the meeting in the
Vatican.


The new project envisages the restoration of the statues of St.
Paul and St. Peter inside St. Paul's Basilica, as well as the
statues of St. Paul and St. Luke in the courtyard of the
Basilica.


While touring the basilica complex, accompanied by Cardinal
James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul,
the detailed information was provided on the work carried out by
the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as next phase of restoration
efforts.


Basilica of Saint Paul, the second largest basilicas in the
Vatican after St. Peter's Basilica, is one of the four major papal
basilicas in Rome. Distinguished by its monumental dimensions, rich
mosaics and long rows of columns, the basilica holds great
significance as a religious and cultural monument, annually
receiving thousands of pilgrims and tourists.


The restoration project will utilize cutting-edge technologies,
namely laser surface cleaning and eco-friendly biological
conservation methods, which align with environmental safety
standards, and have been successfully implemented previously in the
Vatican Gardens.


The delegation also reviewed past restoration and construction
efforts conducted within the Basilica under the auspices of the
Heydar Aliyev Foundation.


On September 11, 2024, within the framework of the “Jubilee
Year,” celebrated by the Holy See every 25 years, a document was
signed between the Governorate of Vatican City State and the Heydar
Aliyev Foundation to ensure the preservation and restoration of the
marble coverings and decorative elements of Saint Paul’s Basilica.
All restoration and conversation efforts stipulated in the
abovementioned agreement have been successfully completed.