National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met Pope Leo XIV at the Holy See, Vatican, on the afternoon of 11/4. He expressed appreciation for the positive sentiments the Pope and the Holy See have for the Vietnamese people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the National Assembly Chairman conveyed the official invitation letter from General Secretary and President To Lam to Pope Leo XIV for an official visit to Vietnam. Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the invitation and his desire to visit Vietnam in the near future.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man presents the letter from General Secretary and President To Lam to Pope Leo XIV. *Photo: VNA*.

Pope Leo XIV commended National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man for visiting the Vatican just five days after his election to his new role. The Pope also shared his special connection with Vietnam, mentioning that two years ago, a statue of Our Lady of La Vang, adorned in a traditional ao dai, was placed in the Vatican gardens, serving as a constant reminder of Vietnam.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man observed that relations between Vietnam and the Vatican have made significant and substantive progress. This progress is evidenced by frequent high-level meetings and the establishment of the Holy See's resident representative office in Vietnam.

The National Assembly Chairman highlighted that during the elections for deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, many Catholic dignitaries, clergy, and followers were successfully re-elected. He affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly is continuously improving its legal framework, fostering favorable conditions for Catholicism to operate and develop in line with the Constitution and laws.

Pope Leo XIV thanked Vietnamese authorities for facilitating and actively supporting the stable and effective operation of the Holy See's resident representative in Vietnam. He expressed a desire for both sides to enhance exchanges and contacts to further deepen bilateral relations.

On the same day, the National Assembly Chairman also met with the Holy See's Prime Minister, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. He requested the Holy See to encourage the Vietnamese Catholic Church to uphold the motto "Love God, Love Country" and to accompany the nation in contributing to national construction and development.

Prime Minister Pietro Parolin commended Vietnam's development achievements and its open religious policy. He affirmed that bilateral relations will continue their positive development trajectory towards new advancements.