Vietnam’s president meets with Pope Francis

November 25, 2016

Pope Francis received Tran Dai Quang, Vietnam’s president since April, in a private audience on November 23.

The meeting comes amid negotiations, ongoing since 2009, aimed at establishing full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the nation of 91.7 million, which is 7% Catholic.

“During the cordial meeting, the good relations between the Holy See and Vietnam were recalled, which are sustained by a common spirit of dialogue and the constant search for the correct instruments so that they may progress,” the Holy See Press Office said in a statement.

The Vietnamese leader gave Pope Francis a small drum, and the Pope gave Quang copies of three of his documents.

Pope Benedict received one of Quang’s predecessors, Nguyen Minh Triet, in a groundbreaking 2009 audience.

 

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Further information:

• Pope meets Vietnamese president in private audience (Vatican Radio)
• President Tran Dai Quang begins State visit to Italy (VietNamNet)
• Holy See, Vietnam continue negotiations (CWN, 10/27)
• Vietnamese president speaks with Pope, moving toward diplomatic ties (CWN, 12/11/09)