SW News: Regarding the position of the Resident Papal Representative in communist Vietnam, the Holy See and the Asian nation have come to an understanding. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin reviewed the various passages that led to the agreement in a conversation with Vatican Media, drawing inspiration from two phrases: one used by Pope John XXIII and the other offered by Pope Francis.

In 1989, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, then President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, visited Vietnam. Pope John Paul II wished to open paths of dialogue through the themes of justice and peace.

The Holy See started the custom of annual trips to improve ties with the government and meet the diocesan communities. In December 2009, Pope Benedict XVI met Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet. A Vietnam-Holy See Joint Working Group was established as a result of the meeting, which paved the way for the appointment of a non-resident Pontifical Representative based in Singapore in the person of Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli on January 13, 2011.

Cardinal Parolin said this helped to strengthen ties between the Holy See and Vietnam.

The Cardinal Secretary of State said it should be recalled that the Bishops' Conference was always involved in this process and contributed its own observations and analyses. “It then moved forward step by step, favoring a gradual harmonization of the principle of religious freedom with local laws and customs rather than seeking the end result immediately,” he said.

A convergence in the final agreement has been reached as a result of the gradual mediation process. Cardinal Parolin defined the Resident Pontifical Representative specifically as a "bridge" whose responsibility it is to further improve relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.

He said the Resident Pontifical Representative has the task of strengthening friendly relations and participating in the receptions and meetings of the Diplomatic Corps. All of this will take place in accordance with national law and in the spirit of mutual trust and good bilateral relations.

In his remarks on the future ties between Vietnam and the Holy See, the Cardinal Secretary lauded Vietnamese people for their industriousness. He stressed the importance of them being able to adapt to any situation as does the bamboo plant, which bends but does not break.