Bangladesh Ambassador Nahida Sobhan has officially presented her credentials to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican City, reinforcing Bangladesh’s commitment to fostering ties with the Holy See and advancing global peace, communal harmony and humanitarian cooperation.

The Bangladeshi envoy, who is concurrently accredited to the Holy See, presented her Letters of Credence during a solemn ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace, Secretariat of State last Thursday, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release issued on Saturday morning.

Economic Minister M Jahirul Quayum and Counsellor Sabuj Ahmed accompanied the ambassador during the official event, which concluded with a formal exchange of greetings between the Pope and the visiting Bangladeshi delegation.

Prior to presenting her credentials, Ambassador Sobhan held a series of high-level meetings with key Vatican officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State; Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, Substitute of the Secretariat of State; Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations; and Javier Fernández, Chief of Protocol of the Holy See.

During these discussions, the ambassador underscored the deep significance that Bangladesh places on its diplomatic ties with the Holy See.

She recalled the historic visits of Pope Francis to Bangladesh in 2017 and Pope John Paul II in 1986, characterizing those papal tours as major milestones in their bilateral history.

Ambassador Sobhan also reiterated Bangladesh’s unyielding commitment to maintaining communal harmony and ensuring peaceful coexistence among people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Furthermore, she expressed high appreciation for the Holy See’s global advocacy regarding climate action, world peace, and humanitarian causes—specifically noting the Vatican's continued support for the forcibly displaced Rohingya population.

In response, the dignitaries of the Holy See expressed strong optimism that bilateral engagement between the two nations would continue to deepen through regular visits and diplomatic exchanges.

They also highly commended Bangladesh for its unwavering humanitarian assistance in sheltering the Rohingya refugees.

The successful engagements highlighted a shared vision between Bangladesh and the Holy See to continuously strengthen bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding.