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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
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
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.
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