What is the role of pyridine in the acylation reaction of amines?

(N/A) In the acylation reaction of amines,such as the reaction of aniline with acetyl chloride $(CH_3COCl)$,$HCl$ is produced as a side product.
Pyridine acts as a base in this reaction. Its primary role is to neutralize the $HCl$ produced during the reaction by forming pyridinium chloride $(C_5H_5NH^+Cl^-)$.
By removing $HCl$ from the reaction mixture,pyridine prevents the protonation of the amine reactant,which would otherwise render the amine non-nucleophilic and stop the reaction. Thus,it helps in driving the reaction to completion.