VN-Vatican relations develop positively

Pope Francis welcomes State President Tran Dai Quang to the Vatican City on November 23, 2016. Photo: VGP

State President Quang and Pope Francis also spoke highly of the positive contributions of the Vietnamese Catholic community.

Welcoming State President Quang to the Vatican city, Pope Francis said the State President’s visit woud help boost mutual understanding and relations between Viet Nam and the Vatican.

The Vatican highly valued Viet Nam’s socioeconomic development achievements and public consultations before approving the Law on Beliefs and Religions.

State President Quang extended thanks to Pope Francis for his good sentitments for Viet Nam, affirming that Viet Nam has pursued the consistent policy of respecting and ensuring the rights to freedom of beliefs and religions of every citizen while keeping on improving legal framework to guarantee such rights.

On the occasion, State President Quang also met with Secretary of the Vatican State Pietro Parolin to discuss on the relations between Viet Nam and the Vatican as well the situation of the Vietnamese Catholic community.

These meetings took place in a sincere, frank and mutually-respected atmosphere./.

By Ngoc Van