The visit by Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, non-resident representative of the Holy See to Vietnam, showed a developing relationship between Vietnam and the Vatican, the mayor of Ho Chi Minh City said Monday.

Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, met on Monday with the Archbishop, who is here for the first annual meeting of the Vietnam Episcopal Council between April 25 and 29.

The reception saw the presence of Cardinal Pham Minh Man, Archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese (HCMCA).

Quan said the city’s development is significantly enhanced by religious followers, including Catholics, with many meaningful activities in healthcare and social charity.

The municipal leader spoke highly of the roles of Cardinal Pham Minh Man and HCMCA priests in the national construction and development as well as encouraging local parishioners to fulfill their role as Vietnamese Catholics.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli said his visit aims to strengthen ties between the Vatican Holy See and the Vietnamese government.

He said he saw many progresses made by Vietnam with many achievements in improving the people’s lives and expressed his belief that the Vietnam Episcopal Council would provide continued contributions to the development of Vietnam, especially in the fields of education and public health.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli arrived in Vietnam on April 18 and will stay in the country till May 1.