The Archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City said the meeting between Pope Francis and the Prime Minister of Vietnam "strengthens our hopes in the future to see full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Vietnam."
Pope Francis received the Vietnamese Prime Minister at the Vatican Saturday.
"We do not know what the future holds, but we pray and hope to overcome difficulties and to restore diplomatic ties," Archbishop Paul Bui Van Doc told Fides. He recalled the fact that "the Church has taken the initiative to establish a theological Institute in Vietnam, at university level, and has found open doors among governmental authorities."
During the Synod of Bishops, which he attended, the Archbishop said: "It was a wonderful experience, we experienced the true freedom of the children of God. I bring to Vietnam the experience of the Church as a mother who welcomes her children with mercy; and as a teacher, who listens, prays, accompanies her children in search of the truth."
Above all, he said, "the Pope teaches us, with his example and his moving testimony, to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit that brings news and opens our hearts."
