Study Room, Malacañan Palace
July 2, 2024

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received His Excellency Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, in a courtesy call at the Study Room in Malacañan Palace.

In the 73 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See, Archbishop Gallagher’s trip marks the first Official Visit to the Philippines by a Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See (i.e. Foreign Minister).

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), his visit aims to engage on areas of cooperation between the Holy See and the Philippines, including higher education, migration governance, interfaith dialogue and climate change, as well as regional and international issues.

Apart from his meeting with President Marcos Jr., he also held talks with DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo to underscore the shared commitment of the Philippines and the Holy See in promoting peace, human rights, the rule of law and sustainable development.

During his stay in the country, Archbishop Gallagher is also set to address the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in its Plenary Session in Malaybalay, Bukidnon and participate in the Mabini Dialogue series of the DFA’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI) with a lecture on ‘Moral Governance and Ethical Leadership’.

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