---
title: Holy See signs agreement with the Republic of Honduras
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/holy-see-signs-agreement-with-the-republic-of-honduras
published: 2026-10-25T13:48:39+00:00
language: en
section: Mission and Aid
source: https://www.vaticannews.va/fr/vatican/news/2026-10/saint-siege-accord-republique-honduras-developpement-humain.html
organizations: Holy See, Republic of Honduras
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Holy See signs agreement with the Republic of Honduras

On Thursday morning, October 22, at 9:30 a.m., in the Treaty Room of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, an agreement was signed between the Holy See and the Republic of Honduras. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah, President of the Republic of Honduras, finalized the treaty, which consists of 25 articles and aims to enhance the existing bilateral relations, protect the legal personality of the Church, and promote fruitful collaboration between the Church and the State in favor of the common good and the spiritual, human, and cultural values of the Honduran people.

The agreement is aligned with the Declaration Dignitatis Humanae from the Second Vatican Council, seeking to further guarantee religious freedom, including freedom of worship, and consequently the freedom of the Church in fulfilling its mission. The bilateral agreement reaffirms the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, in accordance with international human rights instruments.

The agreement acknowledges the Church's right to operate according to its own rules, self-govern, and freely appoint its ministers. Additionally, it guarantees the right to conscientious objection and protects the inviolability of the sacramental seal without conditions or limitations, as well as the confidentiality of pastoral agents, similar to the seal of confession. The Church's right to establish educational and charitable institutions, as well as to provide spiritual assistance and pastoral care to individuals in social, educational, health, and penitentiary support structures, whether public or private, is also recognized.

Furthermore, pastoral care for members of the armed forces and police will be facilitated under the new agreement, which will be subject to ratification procedures as per the respective legal frameworks and will take effect on the day of the exchange of ratification instruments. During the signing ceremony, a cordial discussion took place between the parties regarding the positive contribution of the Church towards human, social, and cultural development in the country, along with various topics of mutual interest at the regional and international levels.

## This story in other languages

- [Deutsch](https://www.faithfulnews.com/de/heiliges-stuhl-unterzeichnet-vertrag-mit-republik-honduras)
- [עברית](https://www.faithfulnews.com/he/story-188)
- [हिन्दी](https://www.faithfulnews.com/hi/pavatara-sahasana-oura-hadarasa-ganaerajaya-ka-bca-samajhata-para-hasatakashhara-kae-gae)
- [Indonesia](https://www.faithfulnews.com/id/kota-suci-menandatangani-perjanjian-resmi-dengan-honduras-untuk-melindungi-kebebasan-beragama)
- [Italiano](https://www.faithfulnews.com/it/il-santo-sede-e-lhonduras-firmano-un-trattato-per-la-liberta-religiosa-e-la-collaborazione-sociale)
- [Svenska](https://www.faithfulnews.com/sv/det-heliga-stolen-undertecknar-avtal-med-honduras-om-kyrkans-rattigheter)
- [Português (Brasil)](https://www.faithfulnews.com/pt-br/o-santo-se-assina-um-acordo-com-a-republica-do-honduras)