The Philippines is committed to work closely with the Vatican in advancing the protection of migrants as well as action to address climate change, President Duterte declared Monday.

The President cited the "warm and close" diplomatic ties between the country and the Holy See while welcoming new Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown in Malacañang. The new papal representative presented his credentials to the President during a virtual ceremony at the Palace.
"Next year we will be celebrating 70 years of warm and close diplomatic ties and 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. I look forward to working closely with the Holy See to further advance our shared advances in migrant protection and climate action," Duterte said.
"For the Philippines, these are the issues which are a matter of uplifting dignity and securing the lives of most disadvantaged," he added.
Duterte expressed appreciation to the Holy See's call for the respect for life and dignity of migrants regardless of status. He noted that around 10 million Filipinos are living and working abroad with nearly 3,500 in the Vatican.
He also lauded the Pope's declaration of a global climate emergency as well as the need for a collective response anchored on equity and social justice.
"We appreciate Pope Francis’ expression of solidarity and prayers for the Filipino people who were affected by the typhoon Ulysses," he added.
To the new papal nuncio, the President said he hopes he would have a productive and meaningful stay in the Philippines. "Please convey my most respective greeting to His Holiness Pope Francis," he added.
Archbishop Brown, appointed by Pope Francis in September to head the Holy See's diplomatic mission in the Philippines, arrived in Manila late last month. The 61-year-old American prelate served as papal nuncio to Albania for the last three years.