Pope Leo met with the socialist Vice President of Vietnam at the Vatican. Vietnam is a country where Catholics make up about 7% of the population, and its relationship with the Holy See has experienced many ups and downs.
In 2023, a historic event took place. For the first time since 1975, when diplomatic ties were broken, the Holy See appointed a papal representative to Vietnam.
During Pope Francis’s pontificate, the two states significantly strengthened their relationship. Just months after the agreement was finalized, the country’s then-president even traveled to the Vatican.
Pope Francis was asked several times about Vietnam. On the return flight from Mongolia, he was asked whether he ever planned to visit.
POPE FRANCIS
Then a trip to Vietnam—if I don’t go, surely John XXIV will… He’ll definitely go, because it’s a country that deserves to move forward, and it has my sympathy.
The next pope turned out not to be Pope John XXIV, but is Pope Leo XIV. On the day he was elected, Vietnam’s current president sent him a congratulatory message. What remains unknown for now is whether the Vice President extended an official invitation to the new pope.
CA
Trans. CRT
