Treaty between Czech Republic and the Vatican to be signed next week

The government has approved a draft treaty between the Czech Republic and the Vatican, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský announced after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. The agreement protects the freedom of religion of citizens and legally anchors clerical services in social and health care institutions or in prisons and the army. According to the foreign minister, it ultimately protects not only the interests of the Catholic Church, but all other churches and religions that people practice on the territory of the Czech Republic. Czechia is one of the last European countries to sign a treaty with the Vatican. Minister Lipavský said the text of the treaty will be available to the public after it is signed, on October 24.