Azerbaijan donated a Pomegranate Tree in the Vatican Gardens
A Sign of Friendship
As a symbolic gesture of friendship between the Vatican City State and the Republic of Azerbaijan, a pomegranate tree was planted in the Vatican Gardens. The occasion was the visit of H.E. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice-President of Azerbaijan.
The planting ceremony took place on the morning of Friday, October 17, in the presence of Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, Mr. Anar Alakbarov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Elchin Amirbayov, Representative of the President of the Republic with special assignments, Mr. Ilgar Yusif oğlu Mukhtarov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Holy See, and several members of the Aliyeva family — Leyla, Arzu, and Alyona.
In Azerbaijan, pomegranates — known as nar — are regarded as the “king of fruits” and are rich in symbolism: they represent love, fertility, abundance, and prosperity.
Prior to the ceremony, Mrs. Aliyeva was received at the Governorate Palace, where she was welcomed by the President of the Governorate, who greeted the Azerbaijani delegation.
Below is Sr. Raffaella Petrini’s welcome speech, delivered in English:
I extend my warm greetings to the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Her Excellency Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, and her family,
to the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Holy See, His Excellency Ilgar Yusif oğlu Mukhtarov, to the Authorities present,
It is a great honor for me to be here today, and to welcome you to the Governorate of Vatican City State. Later we will celebrate this occasion with a gesture that is simple yet deeply symbolic, the friendship that binds the Vatican City State with the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The planting of a pomegranate tree represents a gesture of hope, peace, and cooperation. In this regard, I wish to recall the generous contribution of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for its contribution in the safeguarding and preservation of the marble cladding and decorative elements of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. This project, funded by the Foundation based in Baku, was carried out for the Jubilee Year 2025, when hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are expected to visit the Basilicas in Rome.
The pomegranate, known as the “king of fruits,” is for the Azerbaijani people a symbol of abundance, health and prosperity. Indeed, in Azerbaijan it is also a national symbol, deeply rooted in the culture and identity of its people.
With the planting of this pomegranate tree in the Vatican Gardens, we wish to strengthen our friendship, in order to promote dialogue, respect and cooperation.
I would like to recall the words of Pope Francis during his meeting with the Azerbaijani Authorities at the “Heydar Aliyev” Center in Baku, on Sunday, October 2, 2016:
“I have come to this country bearing in my heart admiration for the complexity and richness of its culture, the fruit of the contribution of the many peoples who have inhabited these lands throughout history, giving rise to a fabric of experiences, values and features that characterize today’s society and are expressed in the prosperity of the modern Azerbaijani State.”
In a world so often marked by divisions, we desire to build bonds of friendship, bonds that have deep roots, like those of the pomegranate tree.
My hope is that the tree may grow strong, like the friendship between our communities, and that it may bear fruit, such as those of peace and dialogue.
We must not forget that Catholics living in your country maintain cordial relations with Muslims, Orthodox Christians and Jews. This is a sign of hope and an example for the entire world, as it shows how it is possible to build bridges for peaceful coexistence, for the good of society as a whole.
Let me conclude by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have made this special event possible, and to the Azerbaijani Authorities for their presence and kind availability.
Thank you.
