Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican's foreign minister, expressed optimism about the possibility of a papal visit to Vietnam, stating that it would send a positive message to the Asian region. While acknowledging that there are still a few steps to be taken before a papal trip would be appropriate, Archbishop Gallagher emphasized that Pope Francis is keen to go and that the Catholic community in Vietnam is eager for his visit.

During separate meetings with a delegation from Vietnam's ruling communist party, Archbishop Gallagher, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and Pope Francis discussed various matters. Lê Hoài Trung, a member of the party's central committee and chairman of its commission for external relations, led the delegation.

Archbishop Gallagher described his meeting with the delegation as going "very well" and highlighted the discussions on the agreement reached last year, which allows for a resident papal representative in Vietnam. This agreement, signed on the same day as Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong's visit to the Vatican, aims to support Vietnam's estimated 6.5 million Catholics. The Vatican had a nonresident papal representative to Vietnam since 2011, but the new agreement signifies progress in the relationship between the two countries.

Polish Archbishop Marek Zalewski has been appointed as the resident papal representative to Vietnam, and President Van Thuong officially invited Pope Francis to visit the country in a letter sent to the Vatican in mid-December.

Archbishop Gallagher reiterated the positive outlook on relations with Vietnam, stating that the Vietnamese delegation is eager for a visit from the Holy Father, as are many others. He emphasized the importance of Vietnam in the region, highlighting its economic progress and the renewal of its attitude towards the international community and the Church. The Vatican hopes to encourage Vietnam's progress in terms of greater religious freedom, as stipulated in its constitution.

Both Archbishop Gallagher and Cardinal Parolin have plans to visit Vietnam in the near future, with the former going in April and the latter later in the year.

Vietnam is home to approximately 6.5 million Catholics, representing about 6.6% of the country's population.