Accompanying the President included Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng and Vice Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyễn Tiến Trọng.

At the visiting reception

During the visit, President Võ Văn Thưởng extended merry Christmas and happy New Year to Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Chí Linh, priests and all Catholic followers of the Archdiocese.

President Võ Văn Thưởng speaks at the visiting reception

He briefed on the country’s socio-economic development in 2023, and attributed such socio-economic achievements to contributions by the Catholic community. Over the past year, the Catholic community has proactively responded to patriotic emulation movements launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front and other social organizations for sustainable development of the country, he stated.

The Party and the State are always consistent in their policy of respecting and ensuring people's right to freedom of belief and religion, and pay due attention to perfecting regulations and institutions towards religious communities, he affirmed.

Briefing on his visit to the Vatican in last July and meetings with Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, President Võ Văn Thưởng said that Pope Francis has given affection for the President and people of Vietnam, and Vietnam and Vatican have approved the Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam.

The president also informed that he has sent a letter inviting Pope Francis to visit Vietnam in order to see the socio-economic development and religious life in Vietnam.

Sharing with Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Chí Linh’s wishes for a world of peace and loving compassion, President Võ Văn Thưởng called for solidarity among Vietnamese, both religious and non-religious, at home and abroad, and between Vietnamese and peace-loving people worldwide, in order to create an environment of peace and development for the nation.

He expressed hope that Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Chí Linh would further guide the Catholic community of the Archdiocese to lead a good secular and religious life and make more contributions for building a prosperous and happy country.

On the occasion, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng extended merry Christmas and happy New Year to Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Chí Linh and all Catholic compatriots of the Archdiocese.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng presents floral congratulation to Hue Archdiocese

Anh Khôi