Vatican Looks to Normalize Relations in its Representative’s Vietnam Visit

The Vatican’s foreign minister, Richard Gallagher, met with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on April 9 during a six-day diplomatic mission to Vietnam to improve relations with the communist nation, the Associated Press reported. Gallagher expressed gratitude for recent progress in bilateral ties as both sides wait for an upgrade to full diplomatic relations. Gallagher’s visit occurred after Archbishop Marek Zalewski became the first Vatican representative to live and open an office in Vietnam.

The Holy See and Hanoi agreed to appoint the Vatican’s permanent representative in Vietnam during former President Vo Van Thuong’s visit in July 2023. Thuong also invited Pope Francis to visit Vietnam. Giorgio Bernardelli, the head of AsiaNews, a Catholic Missionary news agency, told AP News that the Pope’s potential visit was open for discussion and depended on the political situation following Thuong’s recent resignation.