Azerbaijan, Baku, 6 March / corr Trend K.Ramazanova / Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State to the Vatican arrived in Baku on an official visit on 6 March.
The Cardinal is scheduled to meet with Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, Artur Rasizadeh, the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and with other officials.
The official opening ceremony of the church of the Immaculate Conception of Saint Maria in Orujov St in Baku will be a key event during the visit which will be attended by high ranking officials of Azerbaijan, representatives of the diplomatic corps, religious leaders and foreign guests.
Cardinal Bertone will visit Taza Pir mosque, Saint Jean-Mironovich Cathedral and the Jewish synagogue and will meet with Allahshukur Pashazadeh, the head of the Caucasus Muslims Clerical Board on 8 March.
On 9 March Cardinal Bertone will take Sunday Mass in the church of the Immaculate Conception of Saint Maria for Azerbaijani Catholics and anyone who wishes can take part. Mass will begin on 11am and will be held in Latin.