The Vatican said the states were "constantly searching for ways to develop relations even further", but did not comment on the possible re-establishment of diplomatic ties. Vietnam's communist regime broke off diplomatic ties with the Vatican in 1975, but both sides have been working towards reconciliation since 2007, including a meeting between the prime minister and the pope two years ago. The vast majority of Vietnam's 93 million inhabitants say they follow Buddhist traditions, but about seven percent of the population say they are Catholic. The pope is keen for the Church to tap into Asia, a continent where the number of Catholics, currently just 3.2 percent of the population, is rocketing. Since becoming pope in 2013, Francis has visited South Korea, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, and is working towards a historic reconciliation with communist China.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 24, 2016 02:07 UTC