President Luong Cuong sends congratulations to newly elected Pope Leo XIV
WVR - The congratulatory message from the Vietnamese head of state reflects the growing ties between Vietnam and the Holy See, which have seen notable progress in recent years.
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| Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the first US-born pontiff and known as Pope Leo XIV. (Photo: Getty Images) |
On May 10, State President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Luong Cuong sent a message of congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost on being elected as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, who has taken the papal name Leo XIV.
According to Vatican News, before his election to the papacy, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most significant departments within the Roman Curia, responsible for overseeing the appointment and governance of bishops globally. An American by nationality, Cardinal Prevost previously served as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru and has extensive pastoral experience across Latin America, North America, and Europe.
His election as Pope Leo XIV marks a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church, following the papacy of Pope Emeritus Francis. Observers note that the new Pope is expected to prioritize internal Church reforms, strengthen interfaith dialogue, and address pressing global challenges such as climate change, migration, social inequality, and moral crises.
The congratulatory message from the Vietnamese head of state reflects the growing ties between Vietnam and the Holy See, which have seen notable progress in recent years. Both sides have maintained regular dialogue and enhanced mutual understanding, especially through the annual meetings of the Vietnam–Holy See Joint Working Group.
In 2023, Vietnam and the Vatican reached a significant milestone with the establishment of the Resident Papal Representative Office in Hanoi, a move widely seen as a step toward the normalization of full diplomatic relations. The Vietnamese government continues to affirm its consistent policy of respecting and ensuring the right to freedom of belief and religion, and fostering constructive engagement with religious organizations, including the Catholic Church.
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