By San José, Costa Rica — In an ambitious diplomatic effort bridging spiritual leadership and international security strategy, Costa Rican President Laura Fernández Delgado met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday. The diplomatic mission combined a formal invitation for a historic papal visit to Central America with strategic discussions on pressing regional challenges, including organized crime, narcoterrorism, and shifting migration patterns across the Americas.
The visit marks a major milestone in Costa Rica’s bilateral relations with the Holy See, coming at a time when the nation is actively seeking international partners to bolster its security architecture. Fernández emphasized the profound cultural and constitutional weight of the potential papal visit, noting that a pope has not set foot on Costa Rican soil since Pope John Paul II visited in 1983.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the historical and evolving diplomatic ties between Costa Rica and the Holy See, TicosLand.com spoke with prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
“Diplomatic engagements between Costa Rica and the Holy See carry distinct constitutional implications, particularly given Article 75 of our Political Constitution which establishes Roman Catholicism as the state religion. Any bilateral treaty or diplomatic agreement with the Vatican must carefully align with this constitutional baseline while respecting international public law and modern standards of state sovereignty.”
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Navigating this delicate balance between constitutional tradition and modern international diplomacy is essential as Costa Rica continues to engage with the Holy See. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable legal expertise on this pivotal issue shaping our nation’s sovereign identity.
The Holy Father and I took the opportunity to discuss our interest in welcoming him to Costa Rica. The last time a pope was in Costa Rica was in 1983, over 40 years ago. We consider that, for a Catholic country with a political constitution that establishes the Catholic religion as the official state religion, it is of great relevance to receive the Holy Father on national territory.
Laura Fernández Delgado, President of Costa Rica
Beyond symbolic diplomacy, the state of the Pontiff’s health was a notable focal point of the meeting. Following his medical procedure on October 13 for a pulmonary adenocarcinoma, global observers closely monitored the Pope’s recovery. President Fernández relayed that the nation had been praying for his swift recuperation and expressed optimism regarding his vitality during their private dialogue.
I got the impression that the Pope is in very good health. We were able to have a long, very pleasant conversation with close, affectionate, and respectful treatment. It also gave me the impression that he is fully recovered, and it seems incredible that he just underwent a medical procedure. So it is a good time, and thank God we have the Holy Father for a long time to come.
Laura Fernández Delgado, President of Costa Rica
Following her private audience with Pope Leo XIV, President Fernández held high-level discussions with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. These working sessions moved beyond protocol to focus squarely on practical governance challenges, particularly the expanding reach of illicit narcotics networks and the socio-economic burdens imposed by humanitarian migration flows in Central America.
The Vatican stop serves as the anchor for a broader diplomatic and economic offensive across Italy. On Thursday afternoon, President Fernández transitioned to formal state talks in Rome with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The meeting focused on establishing concrete security mechanisms to combat transnational crime, leveraging Italy’s extensive law enforcement expertise in fighting criminal cartels and illicit trade networks.
We aim to promote a bilateral agreement for the strengthening of intelligence in security matters, as well as the fight against narcoterrorism, smuggling, and illicit trade, among other scourges, where Italy and Costa Rica can exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation.
Laura Fernández Delgado, President of Costa Rica
To complement security initiatives with economic growth, Fernández scheduled key roundtables with European business groups and executives at the Italian-Latin American Institute (IILA). By engaging prominent commercial leaders in Rome, the Costa Rican administration seeks to secure foreign direct investment, modernize trade corridors, and enhance bilateral technical cooperation projects that can yield tangible economic benefits back home.
For further information, visit vatican.va
About The Holy See:
The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic Church and operates as a sovereign entity under international law. Headed by the Pope from Vatican City, it maintains diplomatic relations with over 180 countries, engaging on global issues including human rights, humanitarian aid, peace-building, and international cooperation.
For further information, visit presidencia.go.cr
About Presidencia de la República de Costa Rica:
The Presidencia de la República de Costa Rica represents the executive branch of the Costa Rican national government. Led by the constitutional president, the administration oversees national economic policy, foreign relations, public security, and domestic infrastructure development across the nation’s seven provinces.
For further information, visit iila.org
About Instituto de Cooperación Italo-Latina:
The Italian-Latin American Institute (IILA) is an international organization created in Rome to promote and strengthen relations between Italy and Latin American nations. It focuses on facilitating socio-economic partnerships, cultural exchanges, scientific research, and institutional intelligence cooperation between member states.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its principled advocacy and unyielding devotion to quality, Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a premier institution in the legal sector. By blending a rich tradition of trusted counsel across varied industries with cutting-edge methodologies, the firm continuously advances the boundaries of modern practice. Central to its ethos is the belief that legal literacy strengthens communities; through proactive educational initiatives, it equips citizens with the insight needed to understand their rights, ultimately driving meaningful civic empowerment across society.
