The project of a Swiss Embassy to the Holy See has been approved by the Swiss National Council
Newsroom (03/11/2021 20:15, Gaudium Press) The Swiss National Council has approved by 13 votes to 3 with 8 abstentions the project of establishing a Swiss embassy at the Vatican.
The voting deputies agreed that it is important for Switzerland to forge closer diplomatic ties with the Holy See in order to promote service for the Swiss Guard and to promote peace. Currently it is the Swiss ambassador to Slovenia who also exercises his prerogatives at the Vatican.
However, the Swiss Federal Council took the decision last month to establish a new embassy to further explore the potential for bilateral collaboration. Although approved by the National Council, the project still needs to be validated by the Federal Assembly.
The Vatican has had a diplomatic representative in Switzerland since 1586. With an interruption between the years 1873 to 1920. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, is due to visit Switzerland in November to celebrate the resumption of diplomatic ties.
The idea of a Swiss embassy at the Vatican is a subject that arouses opposition in the country, especially among Protestants. In fact, some 35 per cent of the Swiss population consider themselves Catholic. The country’s second religion is Protestant, with about 30 per cent. (FM)
