Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Archbishop Marek Zalewski, first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam. (Photo: VOV)

Highlighting the growing ties between Vietnam and the Holy See, Ms. Hang noted the positive developments fueled by high-level visits and exchanges.

She pointed to the approval of operating regulations for the Resident Papal Representative and his Office in Vietnam which occurred during President Vo Van Thuong’s 2023 visit to the Holy See as a crucial milestone.

Ms. Hang assured Archbishop Zalewski of full support from Vietnamese agencies toward the shared goals of strengthening ties between Vietnam and the Holy See.

Archbishop Zalewski thanked the Vietnamese agencies for their support during his tenure as Non-Resident Special Envoy to Vietnam, and expressed his wish that Vietnam will continue facilitating his activities in his new role to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by Pope Francis.

He also vowed to contribute to increasing the frequency of high-level contacts and dialogues in the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding, thereby solidifying relations between the Holy See and Vietnam as well as the Vietnam Catholic Church at large.