The Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher Undertakes Historic Visit to The Philippines

Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo (right) meets with Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher (left), Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See

MANILA 05 July 2024 – Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, met with Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo today, 02 July 2024, during his official visit to the Philippines.

The historic visit is the first visit of a Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See to the Philippines, since the establishment of relations in 1951. The Secretary for Relations with States is the Holy See’s equivalent of a foreign minister. 

During their meeting, Secretary Manalo and Archbishop Gallagher discussed possible areas of cooperation between the Philippines and the Holy See, including in migration governance, interfaith dialogue and climate change. They exchanged updates on a proposed Memorandum of Understanding on Higher Education between the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education and the Holy See’s Dicastery for Culture and Education. They also exchanged views on important regional and international issues, including developments in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, Gaza and Ukraine. Both sides called for the peaceful resolution of disputes and underscored the importance of adhering to international law.

In his remarks to the press, Secretary Manalo highlighted the shared advocacies of the Philippines and the Holy See. He also stressed that the international community must be united in preserving a world where differences are resolved peacefully, in accordance with the rule of law. 

In response, Archbishop Gallagher expressed his pleasure at returning to the Philippines, and recalled his fond memories of his tenure in the Apostolic Nunciature in the early nineties. He conveyed the greetings of the Holy Father Pope Francis to the people and clergy of the Philippines, stating that “the Philippines, through its people, has a great outreach throughout the world. So many Filipinos are Catholics and they also assist the Church in the propagation of the Christian message through their example and hard work.”

Following the meeting with Secretary Manalo, Archbishop Gallagher also called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. During the rest of his visit, he will also address the plenary session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, as well as deliver a lecture at the Department of Foreign Affairs. The lecture, entitled “Moral Governance and Ethical Leadership,” will be part of the Mabini Dialogue series hosted by the Department’s Foreign Service Institute. END