Hanoi, September 15, 2025 — The Europe Today: The 12th meeting of the Việtnam–Holy See Joint Working Group was recently held in Vatican City, focusing on bilateral relations and the current situation of the Catholic Church in Việtnam.
The session was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng and Under-Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski.
Both sides recognized the positive contributions of the Catholic Church to Việtnam’s development, emphasizing the role of Catholics in living out the Gospel through being exemplary citizens. They welcomed the progress achieved in bilateral relations since the 11th meeting in Hànoi in May 2024, highlighting regular consultations, high-level exchanges, and the activities of the Resident Papal Representative in Hànoi, Archbishop Marek Zalewski.
The participants stressed the importance of advancing cooperation through continued high-level dialogue and agreed to maintain regular sessions of the Joint Working Group. The meeting was conducted in an atmosphere of friendship, trust, and mutual respect.
During the visit, the Vietnamese delegation was received by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and paid courtesy calls to the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and to the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
