Opinion | In 2019, it’s time for the Vatican and communist bloc of China, Vietnam and North Korea to make up for good

Billy Huang says strides made in recent days in the church’s relations with China, Vietnam and North Korea can only be good news for the church faithful. With the Pope a relentless critic of Western capitalism, now’s a good time to mend the rift

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Catholics wait to attend Christmas Eve mass at the Xishiku Catholic Church in Beijing last month. Will 2019 be the year Pope Francis finally visits China? Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:00pm, 3 Jan 2019Updated: 5:52pm, 3 Jan 2019

Despite the New Year vibes everywhere, no major progress has been made on the big issues affecting regional security and people’s lives: the US-China trade war, with a showdown around the corner; the escalating tension between Canada and China over the arrests of a Chinese hi-tech company executive and two Canadians, one of them a former diplomat; and Kim Jong-un’s return to ground zero with a New Year message that there will be no nuclear-free North Korea unless the US makes a security promise.

The list could go on, and be so long as to cloud the world’s expectations for 2019. However, there is a glimmer of hope. It came from the Vatican.

Pope Francis is seriously considering a visit to North Korea. “I can go,” he told South Korean President Moon Jae-in in October, after Moon relayed an invitation from Kim, who said he would “ardently” welcome the Pope to his country.

Actually, it seems the Pope is not only interested in a trip to North Korea in 2019. He wants to engage with the three communist countries which have not set up formal diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

Pope Francis leads a mass at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on January 1. The Pope is considering a trip to North Korea. Photo: AFP

In September, the Pope signed off on a historic “provisional agreement” with Beijing over the appointment of bishops in China. The agreement is groundbreaking and widely expected to help the 67 million Christians in China have a chance to worship legally, with less harassment and interference from the atheist government.