As Pope Francis concludes his 12-day tour of Southeast Asia, theologian and anthropologist Michel Chambon, based in Singapore, analysed the significance of this trip for the future of Sino-Vatican relations. How has China followed Pope Francis’ Asian tour, and what interests has it seen in it? Michel Chambon: Beijing has closely observed the entirety of Read more
In a move seen as a significant step in Sino-Vatican relations, the Chinese government has officially recognised Bishop Melchior Shi Hongzhen as the bishop of Tianjin. The Vatican portrays this development as a victory for Pope Francis’s ongoing efforts to engage with China. Bishop Shi, 95, has long resisted joining the state-sanctioned church. This led Read more
Chinese authorities have prohibited Catholic bishops in China from travelling to Mongolia to meet with Pope Francis during his papal visit to the tiny Catholic community in the country bordering China to the north. The decision by the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party, first reported by America, the Jesuit magazine, is Read more
Pope Francis has officially agreed culture of dialogue champion – Servant of God Matteo Ricci – “lived the Christian virtues to a heroic degree”. With the pope’s endorsement, the famous 16th-century Italian Jesuit missionary to China is now on the path to sainthood. Last December the Vatican announced that Francis had the prefect of the Read more
A Chinese bishop has resigned after the Vatican announced plans to renew its pact with China. This is a move which observers say is a setback to China’s hopes of implementing the deal smoothly. The deal was signed secretly in September 2018, and no details have yet been released. Its key provision is believed to Read more
Two Chinese bishops attending the youth synod, warmly welcomed by Pope Francis, are full of praise for the provisional agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese government. In welcoming Bishops John Baptist Yang Xiaoting and Joseph Guo Jincai to the synod, Francis wept, saying: “The communion of the entire episcopate with the successor of Peter Read more
China has banned its citizens from visiting the Vatican. The Vatican is a popular destination with Chinese tourists. The recent resumption of diplomatic talks between the Vatican and China has prompted an increase in the flow of tourists-pilgrims. If he realises they are at the Vatican, Pope Francis greets them personally and poses for selfies Read more
China’s President Xi Jinping says he wants to make the country’s many religions more Chinese-oriented by instilling socialist core values. Speaking at the country’s five-yearly Communist Party conference, Xi said religion poses threats to national security. He told the conference that separatism promoted under the guise of religion would not be tolerated. Although China officially Read more
Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai, the top Chinese official at the Holy See, has been appointed the apostolic nuncio to Greece. In 2016, he was for some time the apostolic administrator of Agãna, in Guam. Hon’s appointment in Guam followed a request from Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron of Agãna, who was under investigation as a result of Read more
A possible landmark deal that would see China and the Vatican come to an agreement on the appointment of bishops would be “absolutely unacceptable”, China’s most senior Catholic cleric has said. Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, the retired bishop of Hong Kong, told the Wall Street Journal that if the Vatican agrees to let Beijing appoint Read more