Vatican City: In a significant gesture of growing diplomatic warmth, Pope Leo XIV received Her Excellency Madam Vo Thi An Xuan, Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during an official audience at the Apostolic Palace on Monday morning. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in the strengthening of ties between the Holy See and Vietnam, long shaped by cautious engagement and evolving collaboration.
Following her audience with the Pope, Vice-President Vo Thi An Xuan met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, for more in-depth diplomatic discussions.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the talks between the Vietnamese delegation and Vatican officials were notably cordial and forward-looking. The two sides celebrated the progress made in bilateral relations, particularly noting the smooth implementation of the Agreement on the Status of the Resident Pontifical Representative in Vietnam, a landmark step toward establishing permanent ecclesiastical representation in the country.
The Vatican acknowledged the positive role played by the Catholic Church in Vietnamese society, especially in areas such as education, health care, and social welfare, and praised the mutual desire to enhance cooperation.
Discussions also touched on Vietnam’s internal social and political climate, as well as wider regional and international developments, demonstrating shared concerns about peace, stability, and dialogue in Southeast Asia and beyond.
The Vice-President’s visit comes amid steady momentum in Vatican-Vietnam diplomatic ties, with observers seeing it as a signal of both nations’ interest in deepening engagement rooted in mutual respect and constructive dialogue.
This audience reflects the broader vision of Pope Leo XIV to build bridges across ideological and cultural divides, fostering cooperation that benefits not just the Church and state, but the broader global community.