The event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Under-Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski.

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang meets with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Both sides acknowledged the positive contributions of the Church to the overall development of Vietnam, in the spirit of living out the Gospel in the world by being good Catholics and good citizens.

They expressed their delight over the progress in their bilateral relations since the 11th meeting, which took place in Hanoi in May 2024, including through regular engagement and consultations, exchanges of delegations at various levels, especially at the high level, as well as the activities of the Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi Archbishop Marek Zalewski.

The two sides laid stress on the importance of further advancing ties through continued high-level exchanges and agreed to maintain regular sessions of the Joint Working Group.

The meeting took place in an atmosphere of friendship, trust and mutual respect.

On the occasion of the visit to the Vatican, the Vietnamese delegation was received by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, and paid courtesy calls on the Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and on the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

Source: VNA