Pope pays homage to tiny Catholic flock in Muslim Azerbaijan

Pope Francis talks with Azebaijan's First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub Eyyubov as he arrives at the Heydar Aliyev international airport in Baku, Azerbaijan

Baku: Pope Francis said a Mass on Sunday for the minuscule Catholic community in Shi'ite Muslim Azerbaijan, urging the "precious little flock" to keep the faith and paying tribute to those persecuted during the Soviet era.

The oil and gas-rich nation of about 9 million people bordering on Russia, Iran and Turkey, has only about 700 Catholics, according to Vatican figures.