(VOVworld)-Pope Francis has welcomed and spoken highly of President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to the Vatican, considering it an occasion for Vietnam and the Vatican to enhance mutual understanding, thereby fostering bilateral ties.

Pope Francis welcomes Vietnamese leader’s visit to Vatican

At a meeting with President Tran Dai Quang on Wednesday, the Pope recalled fine impressions he had during his meetings with Vietnam’s senior leaders in recent years.

He said the Vatican highly values Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements, and its gathering of public opinions before passing the Law on Belief and Religion.

President Quang said Vietnam consistently respects and ensures the freedom of religion or belief of all people, adding that it has also continually fine-tuned the legal framework for ensuring that right.

Mr. Quang and Pope Francis praised past contributions by Vietnam’s Catholic community, progress in Vietnamese-Vatican relations as seen in high-level meetings, and dialogues via the joint working group mechanism.

Pope Francis said the Vatican wants to boost relations with Vietnam. Both the Pope and President Quang underlined that the Catholic Church in Vietnam should operate in accordance with the law and Catholics should combine a good religious life with being good citizens.