Pope Francis expressed his appreciation to the Philippines for its contribution to the Catholic Church.
Filipinos carry their faith with them wherever they work, the Pope, through Vatican Secretary for Relations and States and International Organizations Archbishop Paul Gallagher, said.
Gallagher, who is on a five-day visit to the Philippines, made a courtesy call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 2.
“I’m delighted it’s been possible to make this visit. It’s long overdue, in fact. But hopefully contacts will be renewed and continued. It’s a very, very thriving relationship, I think,” he told the President.
The Vatican official was accompanied by Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Monsignor Giuseppe Trentadue, Counsellor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila and Monsignor Giuseppe Siviero, Secretariat of the State of the Holy See.
Marcos Jr. extended his good wishes to Pope Francis and pointed out the vibrant relationship between the Philippines and the Holy See.
The diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Vatican span 73 years, dating back to April 8, 1951.IMT
