Vatican and Vietnam agreed to appoint a Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi on July 27. Resulting from a joint working group since 2009, the announcement came after Pope Francis’ private meeting with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong.
However, the identity of the new representative in Hanoi remains unclear. Currently, the government allows Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the Vatican nuncio (ambassador) to Singapore, to make occasional working trips to Vietnam.
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The Vatican and Vietnam agreement could lead to full diplomatic ties as both sides seek to advance relations. Previously, Vietnam severed ties with the Vatican after the communist takeover in 1975. The authorities perceived the Catholic Church’s historical ties to France, the former colonial power, as a concern.
Furthermore, the agreement serves as a model for ties with China. The Vatican-China relations strained since the 2018 accord on bishops’ appointment, which the Vatican accuses China of violating. Officials from the Vatican hope that Vietnam’s acceptance will convince Beijing to do the same, avoiding future problems.
source: reuters.com
