Meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican on December 11, State President Nguyen Minh Triet stated that Vietnam is ready to boost relations with the Vatican on the basis of respecting fundamental principles of international laws and for the sake of world peace, cooperation and development.
President Triet stressed that the Vietnamese State respects and secures citizens’ right to freedom of belief and considers religious followers an indispensable component of the national unity.
All religions, including Catholicism, in Vietnam are enjoying favorable conditions for development, noted the Vietnamese head of state.
Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet (L) meets Pope Benediet XVI, Vatican, Italy. December 11, 2009 - Photo: VNA/Nguyen Khang
The President showed his agreement with the Pope’s teaching that addresses Vietnamese bishops advising Catholics to be good followers and good citizens on the occasion of the Ad Limina in June 2009. He also emphasized the spirit of “Living the gospel amidst the nation” as highlighted in the Pastoral Letter 1980 of the Vietnamese Bishops Council.
The State leader recognized and lauded the Pope’s message sent to the Vietnam Catholic Church on the opening of the Jubilee Year 2010 in which the Vatican admitted mistakes committed in the past and pleaded for forgiveness.
Mr. Triet expected that the teaching and the message should be enacted by the Vietnam Catholic Church with practical deeds and that Catholics should continue contributing to the national construction.
Pope Benedict XVI thanked the State of Vietnam for assisting the Vietnamese Catholic Church to successfully open the Jubilee Year 2010.
The Pope asked Vietnam to continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese Catholic Church in making contributions to charitable, healthcare and educational activities. He expressed his wish to further promote Vietnam-Vatican ties in the future.
Meeting with Vatican PM Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone the same day, President Triet hoped that the Cardinal continues to provide specific guidance for the Vietnamese Catholic Church to properly execute the Pope’s teachings and messages.
The State President was convinced that with both sides’ goodwill and determination, ties between Vietnam and the Vatican would flourish commensurate with their respective desires.
Later that day, President Triet made a tour of Milan City, meeting Chairman of Lombardia Roberto Formigoni and Milan Mayor Letizia Moratti.
