Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairman Meets Pope Leo XIV, Signals Stronger Ties with Holy See

Vatican City, The Gulf Observer: Trần Thanh Mẫn, Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly, held a significant meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Saturday, marking a key step in advancing relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.

During the meeting, Chairman Mẫn expressed gratitude for the Pope’s warm reception of the Vietnamese delegation and extended his best wishes on the occasion of Easter 2026. He commended the Pope’s consistent advocacy for peace, social justice, environmental protection, and support for the underprivileged, noting that these values closely align with Vietnam’s national aspirations.

Highlighting recent diplomatic progress, the Vietnamese leader underscored the steady development of ties between Vietnam and the Holy See, including high-level engagements, the establishment of the Resident Representative Office, and the strengthening of dialogue mechanisms such as the Joint Working Group. He voiced confidence that the upcoming 13th session of the group would contribute to elevating bilateral relations to full diplomatic status.

Chairman Mẫn reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to ensuring religious freedom, stating that the government continues to create favourable conditions for the Catholic community to practice their faith and contribute to national development. He also noted the increasing participation of Catholic representatives in the country’s legislative bodies following recent elections.

On the occasion, Chairman Mẫn conveyed an official invitation from Tô Lâm for Pope Leo XIV to visit Vietnam.

In response, Pope Leo XIV expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as a meaningful milestone coming shortly after his election. He reiterated his desire to visit Vietnam in the near future and praised the country’s efforts in facilitating the activities of the Holy See’s Resident Representative.

The Pope also highlighted cultural ties, noting the presence of a statue of Our Lady of La Vang in traditional Vietnamese attire at the Vatican, symbolizing enduring spiritual and cultural connections between the two sides.

Both sides expressed optimism about further strengthening mutual trust and cooperation, aiming to deepen bilateral relations for the benefit of their peoples and global peace.