25 July 2016 - The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Giuseppe Pinto, paid a courtesy call on Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. on 21 July 2016.

During the call, the Apostolic Nuncio conveyed his appreciation for the continued strong relations between the Philippines and the Holy See, and expressed interest in the crafting of a possible general bilateral agreement of cooperation that could further strengthen ties between the two countries.  

The Apostolic Nuncio also recalled the successful visit to the Holy See in December 2015 of then-President Benigno S. Aquino III and welcomed the possibility of a future visit by President Rodrigo R. Duterte. 

Secretary Yasay reaffirmed the importance the Philippines attaches to its relations with the Holy See which was established in 1951and recalled, with gratitude, the crucial role of the Apostolic Nuncio in the conduct of the State and Pastoral Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Philippines in January 2015.

The Secretary assured the Apostolic Nuncio of his commitment to build on a stronger Philippines-Holy See relationship and its important partners such as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). END