Md. Mustafizur Rahman, the newly appointed Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Holy See, presented his credentials as the non-resident Ambassador to Pope Francis at a pompous ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City. The ceremony was organizedfollowing the proper hygiene rules due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the Bangladeshi Ambassador, Ambassadors of eight other countries to the Holy See presented their Letters of Credence to the Pope.

After receiving the Credentials, Pope Francis briefly addressed the newly appointed Ambassadors. He called on all nations to build a global ‘culture of care’premised on mutual cooperation, compassion, humanity and justice in the face of the ongoing pandemic.He reiterated his personal commitment and support for building a peaceful, tolerant and harmonious society. He also urged the world leaders to take stronger and more effective steps to address the contemporary global challenges, including migration and climate change.

At the end of his address, Pope Francis spoke to each of the Ambassadors separately. Ambassador Rahman conveyed the messages of greetings from the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to the Pope. The Ambassador highlighted, inter alia, the historic celebrations of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence and Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recognition of Bangladesh's graduation from a Least Developed Country, remarkable achievements of the present Government in socio-economic development and the Government’s successso far in tackling the COVID-19disease. He also briefed the Pope on Myanmar's lack of genuine political will in resolving the Rohingya crisis and sought his active support in mobilizing the international community to ramp up pressure on Myanmar.

Pope Francis highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's generosity in providing shelter and continued assistance to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. Recalling his recent meetings with the Prime Minister, the Pope also lauded her visionary leadership in advancing the remarkable development of Bangladesh over the last decade. He requested the Bangladesh Ambassador to convey the greetings to thePresident and Prime Minister on his behalf.