The Vatican maintains diplomatic relations with 184 states, including the European Union and the Order of Malta. The last state to establish this link was Oman in 2023.
But there are still more than a dozen states that do not have full ties with the Holy See. Many do not even have a papal representative in the country, often due to being Asian communist states and Muslim countries.
This is the case of Afghanistan, where there was a small Catholic community of about 200 members. Many had to flee with the arrival of the Taliban and, of those who remain, there is no recent reliable data.
Other countries without official relations with the Holy See are North Korea and the Maldives. There are also no full ties with Saudi Arabia, China, or Vietnam, but in recent years the situation has improved.
For example, the Vatican Library is participating in the Biennial of Islamic Arts in Arabia in 2025, in what is considered a gesture of cultural diplomacy with the country and the Muslim world.
Regarding China, the provisional agreement for the appointment of bishops was renewed for four years in 2024, although the Holy See hopes to go further.
CARD. PIETRO PAROLIN
Secretary of State of the Holy See
We have been hoping for a long time now to have a stable presence in China, even if initially it may not take the form of a papal representation of an apostolic nunciature. But in any case, to increase and deepen our contacts. This is our goal.
Vietnam is on track to become the next country to have full ties with the Holy See. There is also an agreement on the election of bishops, a joint commission between the two states has been established, and a papal representative in the country has been appointed in 2023.
But beyond the work of Vatican diplomacy, there are also the Pope's small gestures. For example, he has traveled to countries to strengthen ties, such as South Sudan or Bahrain. Pope Francis became the first pope to visit the Persian Gulf.
The creation of cardinals or the promotion of religious initiatives in some of these countries is also a possibility. The perfect case is Laos, which has no relations with the Holy See, and where Christians continue to be discriminated against. Pope Francis created a cardinal for the country in 2017 and, in addition, approved the beatification of 17 martyrs.
CA
TR: GS