Today, Thursday 22 October 2026, at 9.30, in the Hall of Treaties in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, and His Excellency Mr. Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah, President of the Republic of Honduras, signed the Tratado entre la Santa Sede y la República de Honduras.

The following were present at the solemn ceremony:

On behalf of the Holy See:

- His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations;

- The Reverend Msgr. Javier Domingo Fernández González, Head of Protocol of the Secretariat of State;

- The Reverend Msgr. Carlos Díaz Paniagua, Official of the Section for Relations with States and International Organizations;

- The Reverend Msgr. Francisco Javier Díaz Tenza, Official of the Section for Relations with States and International Organizations;

on behalf of Honduras:

- Her Excellency Ms. Mireya Agüero de Corrales, Secretary of State for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation;

- The Honourable Juan Carlos García Medina, Minister of the Presidency;

- Her Excellency Ms. Gilliam Noemí Gómez Guifarro, Ambassador of the Republic of Honduras to the Holy See.

The Agreement, comprising 25 articles, consolidates the existing good bilateral relations, safeguards the legal personality of the Church and fosters fruitful collaboration between the Church and the State in promoting the common good and the spiritual, human and cultural values of the Honduran people. In line with the Declaration of the Second Vatican Council Dignitatis Humanae, it aims to further guarantee religious freedom, including freedom of worship, and consequently the Church’s freedom to carry out her mission. The bilateral Agreement reaffirms the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in accordance with international instruments regarding human rights.

The State recognizes the right of the Church to operate according to her own rules, to govern herself and to freely appoint ministers of worship. Furthermore, it guarantees the right to conscientious objection and protects the inviolability of the sacramental seal, without conditions or limitations, and the confidentiality of pastoral workers, analogous to that of the confessional. The Church’s right to establish educational and charitable institutions is also recognized, as is her right to provide spiritual assistance and pastoral care to people accommodated in social care, educational, healthcare and prison facilities, whether public or private. Finally, pastoral care for members of the armed forces and the police will be facilitated.

The new Agreement, which will be subject to the ratification procedures, provided for in the respective legal systems, will enter into force on the day of the exchange of the instruments of ratification.

On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, a cordial discussion took place between the Parties, during which the Church’s positive contribution to the country’s human, social and cultural development was highlighted, and a number of issues of common interest at regional and international level were discussed.