Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV resumed his schedule in Rome soon after returning from an 11 day apostolic journey to Africa, welcoming a delegation of Vietnamese bishops to the Vatican as part of their ad limina visit.
The visit, which is a regular tradition in the Catholic Church, brings bishops to Rome to pray at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and to meet Pope. It is meant to strengthen unity between local churches and the Holy See, and to reflect on pastoral responsibilities.
Following the meeting, Dominic Nguyen Tuan Anh of Xuân Lộc described the encounter as deeply fraternal and heartfelt. He said Pope, despite being slightly tired after his long journey, met them with joy and openness.
The bishop said the atmosphere of the meeting felt like a family gathering. He explained that Pope related to them as the successor of Saint Peter, while the bishops saw themselves as successors of the apostles. This sense of shared mission, he said, strengthened their feeling of unity with the universal Church.
Vietnam has around seven million Catholics, making it one of the largest Catholic communities in Asia. According to Bishop Nguyen Tuan Anh, the Pope was pleased to hear about the strong faith of the Vietnamese Church and its continued growth.
He also pointed out that the Church in Vietnam, like elsewhere, is facing new challenges in a rapidly changing world shaped by artificial intelligence and mass media. He stressed that unity among bishops, priests, religious and lay people is essential to respond to these challenges.
The bishop said the Vietnamese Church draws strength from its deep sense of family and from the witness of its martyrs. He added that with unity and God’s grace, the Church can move forward with faith and hope in addressing modern issues.