Why does the Vatican pursue diplomatic relations?

[sheepdog313]

If Vatican City has diplomatic neutrality, why is the pope always meeting with heads of state? I understand he is responsible for the Church’s interests in these various countries, but if the Vatican was to sever diplomatic relations with a particular country, what could possibly be gained or lost?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

You’ve more or less answered your own question. If the Church was to sever diplomatic relations with a country, it would put at risk the Church’s ability to minister to souls in that country. Neutral nations maintain diplomatic relations with other countries all the time; see, for example, the most famous neutral nation, Switzerland, which maintains embassies around the world.