First Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam appointed
Archbishop Marek Zalewski has been appointed by Pope Francis as the first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam, the Holy See announced on December 23.
Archbishop Marek Zalewski has been appointed as Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam. (Photo: Vietnam Episcopal Council)
Hanoi (VNA) – Archbishop Marek Zalewski has been appointed by PopeFrancis as the first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam, the Holy Seeannounced on December 23.
The archbishop,entering the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1995, has worked in many countries.He was appointed the Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore andthe non-resident Papal Representative in Vietnam in 2018.
While servingas the non-resident Papal Representative in Vietnam, he visitedand conducted pastoral activities in almost all dioceses of the Catholic Churchin Vietnam, and also met with representatives of ministries, sectors andadministrations of localities nationwide.
Vietnam and the Holy See have recorded progress in bilateral relations,especially since they set up the regular dialogue mechanism of their Joint WorkingGroup in 2009. Many meetings and discussions between Vietnameseleaders and the Holy See have since taken place, most recently the meeting betweenVietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and Pope Francis in 2023.
Pope BenedictXVI and Pope Francis used to send allocutions and messages to the Catholic Churchin Vietnam, stressing the spirit of living as “good Christians and goodcitizens” and encouraging Catholics to lead a good secular and religiouslife and actively contribute local and national socio-economic development.
In particular,the two sides basically agreed on the Status of the ResidentPapal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative inVietnam at the 10th session of the Joint Working Group between Vietnamand the Holy See in March 2023. This status was adopted during PresidentThuong’s visit to the Holy See in July 2023.
Themoves marked an important stride in bilateral relations and came as a result ofa process of active opinion exchanges in the spirit of mutual respect,cooperation, and understanding. They also reflect the Vietnamese State’sconsistent policy of respecting and ensuring the right to freedom of religionand belief, and creating favourable conditions for activities of religions.
The appointmentof Archbishop Marek Zalewski as the first Resident Papal Representative inVietnam is expected to help promote the connections between the Holy See andthe Catholic Church in Vietnam, as well as opinion exchanges between Vietnamand the Holy See./.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) hosted a meeting of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) themed “FABC 50 Bangkok Document and its implications for Asia” in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau from June 5-10, looking back on the 50-year operation of the FABC and sharing ideas about activities to protect the environmental, ensure social justice and migration in Asia.
On the occasion of the visit by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Vo Van Thuong, to the Vatican on July 27, 2023, on the basis of the 10th Session of the Joint Working Group between Vietnam and the Holy See on March 31, 2023 in the Vatican, and with the desire to continue advancing bilateral relations, the two sides officially announce that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Holy See concluded the “Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam”.
President Vo Van Thuong, his spouse and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam visited the Vatican on July 27 (local time) at the invitation of Pope Francis.
The upgrade of the relationship and the adoption of the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam reflect efforts, goodwill, and mutual respect between Vietnam and the Vatican, said Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Archbishop Marek Zalewski has been appointed as Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam. (Photo: Vietnam Episcopal Council) 
