Bangladesh’s Ambassador concurrently accredited to the Holy See, Nahida Sobhan, presented her Letters of Credence to Pope Leo XIV at a solemn ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on 21 May.
The credential presentation ceremony took place at the Secretariat of State with traditional protocol and ceremonial courtesies extended by the Holy See. Economic Minister M. Jahirul Quayum and Counsellor Sabuj Ahmed accompanied the ambassador during the event.
Following the presentation of credentials, Pope Leo XIV exchanged greetings with Ambassador Sobhan and members of the Bangladeshi delegation.
Ahead of the ceremony, the ambassador held separate meetings with senior Holy See officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher and Javier Fernández, Chief of Protocol of the Holy See.
During the discussions, Ambassador Sobhan reaffirmed the importance Bangladesh places on its relations with the Holy See. She recalled the visits of Pope Francis to Bangladesh in 2017 and Pope John Paul II in 1986, describing them as landmark moments in bilateral ties.
The ambassador highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to communal harmony and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths. She also appreciated the Holy See’s advocacy for global peace, climate action and humanitarian causes, particularly its support for forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
Holy See dignitaries expressed hope for stronger engagement through regular exchanges and visits and commended Bangladesh for its humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya population.
The meetings reflected the mutual goodwill and shared commitment of both sides to further deepen Bangladesh–Holy See relations.
