President Vo Van Thuong, his spouse and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam visit the Vatican at the invitation of Pope Francis. (Photo: VNA)
At his meeting with Pope Francis, the President stressed that he treasures Pope Francis’ attention and sentiments to the Vietnamese people’s past struggle for national independence and the country at present, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He spoke highly of the noteworthy progress in relations between Vietnam and the Vatican through regular high-level meetings over the past years, and the effective implementation of the mechanism of Joint Working Group.
The President affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State consistently pursue a policy of respecting and ensuring the freedom of belief and religion, saying the country has constantly perfected its legal framework to facilitate the practice of religions, including Catholicism.
He highly appreciated positive contributions by the Catholic community in Vietnam to charitable activities, education, health care and vocation training, and noted his hope that they will continue playing a role in the process of national construction and development.
For his part, Pope Francis emphasised that President Thuong’s visit offered a chance for the two sides to exchange views on the situation of Catholics in Vietnam as well as the Vietnam-Vatican relations.
President Thuong highly valued guidelines and teachings of Pope Francis and the Vatican for the Catholic community in Vietnam, saying he hoped that Pope Francis will pay more attention to guiding Catholic dignitaries and followers in the Southeast Asian nation to further accompany the State and people, for national development and prosperity.
The President also stressed the Vatican’s role in global issues, maintaining peace, sustainable development, the environment and ensuring human rights.
Pope Francis affirmed that the Vatican hoped for stronger relations with Vietnam, and urged the Vietnam Catholic Church to continue fulfilling the vocation of “accompanying the nation” and to be “good Catholics and good citizens”, while encouraging Catholic dignitaries and followers to make more contributions to the development of the country and the church.
They shared the view that the conclusion of the Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam is an important step in the context of positive development in the bilateral relations, and the result of discussions in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, and cooperation.
Both noted their belief that the Resident Papal Representative will make more active contributions to the relations between the Vatican and the Catholic community in Vietnam, and well as the relationship between the Vatican and the country.
President Thuong pledged that Vietnam will create optimal conditions for the Resident Papal Representative to work in the country in line with its laws and regulations, and the agreement between the two sides.
The leader also expressed his hope that the Vietnam Catholic Church will grow further and contribute more to the process of national development.
Pope Francis stressed that the approval of the agreement was a model of mutual trust, and a foundation to further promote the relations between Vietnam and the Vatican in the time ahead.
President Vo Van Thuong meets with Secretary of State of the Vatican Cardinal Pietro Parolin. (Photo: VNA)
Briefing the host about Vietnam’s external and religious policies, President Thuong stressed that the Vietnamese Party and State always create favourable conditions for religions to operate and develop in accordance with the Constitution and laws, including the Law on Belief and Religion.
He wished that Parolin, in his important role in the Holy See, and with his understanding of and deep affection for Vietnam, would continue paying attention to the activities of the Catholic community in the country, thus contributing to further stepping up the positive development of the Vietnam-Vatican relationship.
Parolin, for his part, spoke highly of Vietnam's achievements in ensuring religious freedom for all religions, including Catholicism.
He thanked Vietnam for recognising positive contributions made by the Catholic Church in various areas such as charity work, education, health care and vocational training. He also hailed the role of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group in raising mutual understanding and trust, and agreed to resolve any differences through dialogue.
Hailing Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the Catholic Church with over 7.2 million Catholics, he affirmed that the Holy See always encourages Catholic dignitaries and followers in Vietnam to follow the mottos of “Accompanying the nation” and “A good Catholic is a good citizen”, making positive contributions to the development of the country and the Church in particular.
The Vietnamese leader underlined the Vatican's role in global issues and wished that the Vatican would continue upholding its role in mediating conflicts, preserving peace, promoting sustainable development, and fostering unity, friendship, cooperation and development among nations and religions worldwide.
Both host and guest also discussed the conclusion of the Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam.
The Vietnamese President said Vietnam will continue supporting the Vatican in completing the necessary procedures to establish the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi and assist the activities of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam.
Concluding the visit, both sides issued a joint communique on the conclusion of the Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative of the Vatican in Vietnam./.
Q.Hoa t.h / TTXVN
