State President meets Pope in Vatican

Vietnamese State President Nguyễn Minh Triết (L) meets Pope Benediet XVI, Vatican, Italy. December 11, 2009 - Photo:  VNA/Nguyễn Khang

All religions, including Catholicism, in Việt Nam are enjoying favorable conditions for development, noted the Vietnamese head of state.

The President showed his agreement with the Pope’s teaching that addresses Vietnamese bishops advising Catholics to be good followers and good citizens on the occasion of the Ad Limina in June 2009. He also emphasized the spirit of “Living the gospel amidst the nation” as highlighted in the Pastoral Letter 1980 of the Vietnamese Bishops Council.

The State leader recognized and lauded the Pope’s message sent to the Việt Nam Catholic Church on the opening of the Jubilee Year 2010 in which the Vatican admitted mistakes committed in the past and pleaded for forgiveness.

Mr. Triết expected that the teaching and the message should be enacted by the Việt Nam Catholic Church with practical deeds and that Catholics should continue contributing to the national construction.

Pope Benedict XVI thanked the State of Việt Nam for assisting the Vietnamese Catholic Church to successfully open the Jubilee Year 2010.

The Pope asked Việt Nam to continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese Catholic Church in making contributions to charitable, healthcare and educational activities. He expressed his wish to further promote Việt Nam-Vatican ties in the future.

Meeting with Vatican PM Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone the same day, President Triết hoped that the Cardinal continues to provide specific guidance for the Vietnamese Catholic Church to properly execute the Pope’s teachings and messages.

The State President was convinced that with both sides’ goodwill and determination, ties between Việt Nam and the Vatican would flourish commensurate with their respective desires.

Later that day, President Triết made a tour of Milan City, meeting Chairman of Lombardia Roberto Formigoni and Milan Mayor Letizia Moratti.