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 Brazil |  Holy See |
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Brazil–Holy See relations are thecurrent and historical relations betweenBrazil and theHoly See. Catholicism was introduced in Brazil in 1500 by thePortuguese Empire, and it is the country's predominant faith. Brazil also has the world's largest Catholic population. Since the adoption of theConstitution in 1891, Brazil is a secular nation.
Soon after Brazil declared its independence in 1822, Brazil and the Holy See have maintained diplomatic relations. In 1826, the first Brazilian envoy to the Papal court arrived inRome.[1] The Brazilian embassy to the Holy See is among the oldest Brazilian diplomatic representations abroad. In November 1871, EmperorPedro II of Brazil paid a visit to theVatican and met withPope Pius IX.[2]
In 1872, a crisis between both nations ensued with regards to theReligious Question when the Brazilian Imperial government wanted to reform the church and appointed a series of reforming bishops. In 1891, Brazil became a secular nation with the adoption of aRepublican Constitution. In 1919, the Brazilian representation to the Holy See was elevated to the category of an embassy.[1]
In June 1980,Pope John Paul II became the first Pope to visit Brazil and he toured the nation for two weeks.[3] In 1986, Brazilian PresidentJosé Sarney became the first Brazilian President to visit the Vatican.[1] Since the initial visits, there would be several more Papal and Presidential visits between both nations.
In November 2008, during Brazilian PresidentLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva second visit to the Vatican, an agreement was signed between both nations on the Legal Statute of theCatholic Church in Brazil, which consolidates rules for the Church's activities in the country. The main objective of the agreement is to give Brazil's relations with the Holy See enhanced legal certainty, always in accordance with the state's secular principle. The agreement has been in force since 2010.[1]
In 2013, Brazilian PresidentDilma Rousseff paid a visit to the Vatican to attend the inauguration ofPope Francis, the first Latin and South American Pope.[1] In July 2013, Pope Francis paid a 5-day visit to Brazil, his first Papal voyage after becoming Pope in March 2013.[4] In February 2014, President Rousseff paid a second visit to the Vatican.
In 2023, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with Pope Francis at the Vatican.[5] In April 2025, President Lula da Silva attended thefuneral for Pope Francis at the Vatican.[6]
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High-level visits from Brazil to the Holy See
Papal visits from the Holy See to Brazil
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