Diplomatic Ties with Vietnam?

The Holy Father meets Vietnamese president Nguyen Minh Triet on Friday amid speculation that the communist country may agree to establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

In an interview this week with Corriere della Sera, the president expressed a wish to establish formal ties, saying that his country was "working to open diplomatic relations with the Vatican."

If such a development happens, it could give hope to Catholics in communist China who continue to suffer from tight restrictions on freedom of worship.

Earlier this year, the Pope expressed hope for a "healthy" relationship between the Church and Vietnam's communist government, which confiscated Church property after taking power from the French in 1945.

Benedict XVI has made it a priority of his pontificate to build diplomatic relations with those countries without established ties with the Holy See, most importantly, China, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

Vietnam's 6 million Roman Catholics are the second largest Catholic-community in Asia.

Photo: Nguyen Minh Triet