Switzerland and the Holy See: a century of diplomatic relations

Visit of Cardinal Pietro Parolin on the anniversary of the resumption of Berne-Vatican ties and joint declaration to promote peace

On the occasion of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Holy See, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met in Bern with the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
During the official visit, a joint declaration was signed which aims to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in various areas in the field of peace promotion.
The celebrations, postponed for a year due to the pandemic, mark the centenary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Confederation and the Holy See, interrupted for nearly half a century (1873-1920).

A meeting between Guy Parmelin and Pope Francis at the Vatican

Secretary of State received by Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis

To mark this anniversary, the head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Ignazio Cassis invited Cardinal Pietro Parolin for an official visit to Switzerland. Together they discussed both bilateral and international issues.

In view of the proliferation of armed conflicts and the erosion of fundamental rights around the world, Switzerland and the Holy See affirmed their desire to strengthen their joint commitment and cooperation in the bilateral and multilateral spheres to consolidate peace and protect human dignity.

Bern to strengthen diplomatic relations with Holy See

A “pact” to beat war and human rights in the world

In this sense, they have signed a joint declaration that aims to promote peace and human rights in the world. Particular attention is given to the universal abolition of the death penalty, the protection of minorities and interreligious dialogue.

A rich program, in the image of Swiss diversity

Cardinal Parolin’s visit to Bern began with a courtesy visit to the President of the Confederation, Guy Parmelin, who last May visited the Vatican for the swearing in of the Papal Swiss Guard.
An interdenominational meeting was then held in the historic City Hall of Bern, organized jointly by the Evangelical Reformed Church in Switzerland and the Swiss Bishops’ Conference, testifying to the ecumenical nature of relations between the two confessions.
In the afternoon, at the University of Fribourg, Federal Councillor Cassis and Cardinal Parolin inaugurated a public conference on the history of relations between the two States, attended by representatives of the political, confessional and philanthropic worlds, as well as numerous students.

The comic book “The Pope’s Guards” now available in Italian

First Apostolic Nunciature in the North in 1586 in Lucerne

The Apostolic Nunciature in Switzerland was opened in 1586 in Lucerne and is the oldest permanent representation of the Vatican north of the Alps.
However, in 1873 the “Kulturkampf” (cultural struggle) led to the break in diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the Holy See, which were not resumed until later in 1920. The Confederation and the Holy See maintain historic relations.
One of the most special and visible ties is the Pontifical Swiss Guard, founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II.
The Pontiff’s last visit to Switzerland was on June 21, 2018, when Pope Francis traveled to Geneva. On October 1, 2021, the Federal Council also decided to establish in Rome the Embassy of Switzerland to the Holy See, as a sign of the desire to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two states.

Federal Council: no derogations for the Swiss Guards