Foreign relations of Nepal
Nepal established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom in 1816. The United Kingdom is also the first country in the world with which Nepal had established diplomatic relations. The United Kingdom is the first country in the world which established its embassy in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. This is the country where Nepal had established its first diplomatic mission (Legation). Nepal had established its legation in London in 1934, which was the first Nepalese diplomatic mission established at the foreign country. It was elevated to the ambassador level in 1947 A.D.
Catholic Church in Nepal
Before King Gyanendra was stripped of his powers by the Sansad (Nepalese parliament), there had been hope of official recognition by the state since the king was educated at a Catholic school (St Joseph' College, Darjeeling) and was a pupil of the current Apostoli Vicar, Nepalese Jesuit Father Anthony Sharma.
In May 2006, church leaders welcomed the parliamentary declaration that Nepal is now a "secular state," a change from what had been the only officially Hindu country in the world. The first open air Christian musical program was hosted to celebrate the beginning of religious freedom for the first time in Nepal's history. A convent was inaugurated along with a training center in western Nepal in June 2006, a first for western Nepal. Six Nepalese youths went to World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany despite having a difficult time obtaining visas from German officials. In a display of inter-religious cooperation, the Olympic torch was brought to the top of the sacred mountain of Makalu, having been blessed by both Pope Benedict XVI and the Dalai Lama.
On February 10, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI raised the status of the missionary jurisdiction to an apostolic vicariate. While remaining exempt (directly subject to the Holy See, not part of any ecclesiastical province), the pre-diocesan jurisdiction for Nepal is since entitled to a titular bishop.