Vatican's foreign minister on Tuesday, July 2, made the first ever trip to the Philippines for talks with President Marcos and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo that included the West Philippine Sea, other regional conflicts and bilateral ties between Manila and the Holy See.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, called for parties involved in the South China Sea dispute "to abide by international law" and pursue a way to resolve "difficulties and problems with the best interests of all involved" as he discussed with Manalo international challenges and conflicts.

"The position of the Holy See in such circumstances, such situations of conflict, first of all [is] that every effort must be made, that any differences, conflicts are resolved peacefully," Gallagher said in a press conference.

Gallagher said the Philippines and Vatican "have many things in common," noting the same values and vision that both have. But the priorities "at this time are clearly the far too many conflicts in the world today, and the need to promote peace through dialogue and negotiation."

Manalo, in his remark, said he and Gallagher both agreed that international community must be united in preserving a world where differences are resolved peacefully and on the basis of international law.

Bilateral ties

On the other hand, Manalo and Gallagher also discussed other areas of cooperation between Manila and the Holy See, particularly higher education, migration and climate action.

Manalo said the two governments are now working for the conclusion of a memorandum of agreement (MOU) that would allow the mutual recognition of degrees of Filipino priests and nun who are pursuing studies in different ecclesiastical and Catholic education institutions of the Holy See.

The Philippines and Vatican, sharing the same advocacy on migration governance, now also aim to enhance international cooperation on migration and ensure the protection of migrants' rights for sustainable development, according to Manalo.

Meanwhile, Gallagher related to Manalo Pope Francis' take on climate change, saying the issues surrounding it affect the most vulnerable people, including those in the Philippines.

"The Philippines shares His Holiness' call for the urgent need to work together to address the climate crisis and we look forward to close collaborations in this area with the Holy See," Manalo said.