Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb 19, 2009 / 22:05 pm
A delegation from the Vatican headed by Archbishop Pietro Parolin is wrapping up a visit to Vietnam this week. Progress was made towards establishing better relations, both the Vatican and the Communist government said, but local Catholics remain skeptical.
The mood amongst local Vietnamese Catholics, who have experienced a year rife with government interference, is still one of doubt about whether any improvement in relations will be seen.
The Vatican delegation arrived in Vietnam for its sixteenth annual trip to the country last Sunday. During the past week, government and Vatican officials met to discuss the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.