Pope Leo XIV may consider a visit to Sri Lanka in the near future : Archbishop Gallagher

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, today morning  paid a courtesy call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The President expressed his appreciation to the Archbishop for undertaking this visit to Sri Lanka, which marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Sri Lanka.

The President highlighted the Vatican’s assistance to Sri Lanka’s education sector as well as its considerable support following the devastating tsunami.

Moreover, President Dissanayake also extended his best wishes to Pope Leo XIV, wishing him good health and strength.

Archbishop Gallagher conveyed to the President that both he and His Holiness the Pope admire the progress Sri Lanka has made, particularly in advancing peace and unity among all ethnic and religious communities. He added that, based on this progress, Pope Leo XIV may consider a visit to Sri Lanka in the near future.

The Archbishop also commended the President’s leadership in restoring economic and political stability in the country. He reaffirmed the Vatican’s support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ethnic and religious harmony and consolidate economic stability, it said.

Archbishop Gallagher is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka and is scheduled to attend a commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Sri Lanka. During his stay, which continues until 8 November 2025, he will visit several locations of significance.

Meanwhile the Archbishop met with Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath later in the day.

‘This visit marks a momentous occasion, the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Holy See. It is a milestone that we proudly celebrate, reflecting five decades of friendship, cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace, human development, and social justice. This high-level engagement is a clear reflection of our close ties and our mutual desire to deepen this partnership in the years ahead,’ he said.

 Excerpts from his speech:

“The Holy See has long been a moral voice on the global stage, advocating for justice, reconciliation, peace & disarmament, and the rights of all peoples, values that deeply resonate with the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people.

Over the past five decades, our relations have been underpinned by shared values, especially in the areas of humanitarian service, education, religious harmony, and the promotion of human dignity. The Catholic Church has played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s religious and social landscape, contributing significantly to nation-building and reconciliation, particularly in post-conflict contexts.

We also recall with deep gratitude the historic visits of His Holiness Pope Paul VI in 1970, His Holiness Pope John Paul II in 1995, and His Holiness Pope Francis in 2015, each of which left a lasting impression in the hearts of our people and strengthened the spiritual and diplomatic ties between our nations.

On a personal note, I recall with sorrow and reverence my recent visit to the Vatican to attend the funeral Mass of the late His Holiness Pope Francis on 26 April 2025. That solemn occasion was a powerful reminder of the Holy See’s enduring moral voice in the world and the strength of our bilateral ties. I also take this opportunity to extend, on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka, our humble respects to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as we look forward to strengthening our engagement with the Holy See under His Holiness’s esteemed leadership.

Today, as we celebrate this golden jubilee of our diplomatic ties, we reflect with pride on the multifaceted engagement between Sri Lanka and the Holy See, particularly in the areas of religion, education, healthcare, interfaith dialogue, and humanitarian cooperation.

I also take this opportunity to note the enduring support and contribution of the Catholic community who serve as a bridge in Sri Lanka–Vatican relations. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka plays a significant role in nation-building, social cohesion, social services, and charity work for the poor and marginalized people in the country. The Catholic community with its multi- ethnic composition, plays a key role in promoting reconciliation that is widely respected across all communities.

During the discussions today, I took the opportunity to appreciate the assistance that the Holy See extended over the past five decades to Sri Lanka and reaffirm the commitment of Sri Lanka to continue to strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations.

The discussions that Archbishop Gallagher had with. the President, the. Prime Minister, and me were opportunities to share first-hand the developments in Sri Lanka following the elections of last year, the steps taken by our government in stabilizing the economy, ensuring genuine reconciliation amongst our people, combating bribery and corruption, as well as improving good governance, accountability and human rights.

As Sri Lanka continues its journey toward lasting peace, reconciliation, and prosperity, we view the Holy See as a partner and a steadfast advocate for dialogue, inclusivity, and the protection of religious freedom for all communities. We look forward to exploring new avenues for collaboration, particularly on global issues such as environmental sustainability and the challenges facing developing nations.

We also expressed Sri Lanka’s readiness to collaborate closely with the Holy See at the United Nations and other multilateral fora on matters of shared interest.

We are confident that the excellent relations between the Holy See and Sri Lanka will continue to flourish, promoting greater understanding and serving the common good of the people of Sri Lanka.”