Vietnamese president speaks with Pope, moving toward diplomatic ties
December 11, 2009
Pope Benedict XVI met on December 11 with Vietnam’s President Nguyen Minh Triet. It was the first meeting ever between the Pontiff and the head of the Communist nation. After the 30-minute meeting, the Vatican released a statement applauding this “significant stage in the progress of bilateral relations.” The Vatican and Vietnam do not currently have formal diplomatic relations, although diplomatic talks have been taking place for several years. Before leaving for Europe, the Vietnamese leader said that he was hoping to establish diplomatic relations. Without addressing that question directly, the Vatican statement indicated that the December 11 conversation had centered on the prospects for Church-state relations.
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Further information:
- Pope Receives a Vietnamese President for the First Time Ever (VIS)
- Pope, Vietnamese president meet (AP)
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