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China-Vatican relations

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China-Vatican relations

The latest news, analysis and opinion on China-Vatican relations. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

A requiem mass for Pope Francis was held at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on Monday. Photo: Sun Yeung

Hong Kong society

Pope Francis cared deeply for ‘church in China’, Hong Kong mourners hear

About 1,000 people flocked to Hong Kong’s main Catholic cathedral for late pope’s requiem mass, including former leaders and current officials.

3 hours ago

Pope Francis’ funeral: ‘pope among the people’ laid to rest

26 Apr 2025 - 11:49PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Church in Hong Kong expected to remain bridge between Vatican and Beijing

23 Apr 2025 - 9:26PMvideocam

China conveys condolences after death of Pope Francis, seeks closer Vatican ties

Future of relations remains uncertain, analysts warn, given unresolved issues and possible policy shifts under the next pope.

22 Apr 2025 - 11:35PMvideocam

People visit a Catholic Church in Baoding, in China’s northern Hebei province on Tuesday, a day after the death of Pope Francis. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s Catholic Church recalls ‘inspirational leader’ Pope Francis

Tributes flow for late pontiff who always kept ‘the people of Hong Kong and Macau’ in his ‘thoughts and prayers’.

21 Apr 2025 - 11:32PMvideocam

From our archives

When John Baptist Wu was first HK bishop to visit communist China

His historic trip marked a significant step in dialogue, but he was barred from seeing jailed ‘counter-revolutionary’ Bishop Kong in Shanghai.

14 Mar 2025 - 6:00PM

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Religion in China

China and Vatican agree to extend deal on bishop appointments for 4 more years

The 2018 agreement allows Beijing to nominate candidates to fill vacant sees but critics say it has ‘sold out’ China’s underground Catholics.

23 Oct 2024 - 9:47AMvideocam

The deal recognised Pope Francis’s status as head of the Roman Catholic Church. Photo: Reuters

Pope calls Beijing ‘a promise and hope’ for church in new overture to China

Francis says China has ‘a capacity for dialogue and understanding that goes beyond other systems of democracy’ and says he wants to visit.

14 Sep 2024 - 4:15AMvideocam

China and Vatican discuss Ukraine peace plan as Russia continues to lose ground

The Holy See and Beijing have both been pushing for an end to the war, with Beijing pushing a six-point plan agreed with Brazil.

16 Aug 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Beijing hopes for better ties as Vatican seeks ‘stable presence in China’

Beijing’s pledge comes after Holy See hosts Shanghai bishop for Concilium Sinense centenary, offers to ‘renew and develop’ 2018 deal on appointing bishops.

22 May 2024 - 8:05PMvideocam

Shanghai Bishop Joseph Shen Bin with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in Rome on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Hong Kong society

Beijing’s top Catholic cleric visits Hong Kong to bolster ties between dioceses

Bishop Joseph Li is on ‘reciprocal visit’, the first by Beijing’s top Catholic cleric since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, following counterpart’s trip to capital.

14 Nov 2023 - 9:56PM

Bishop Joseph Li (right) on the first day of his trip to Hong Kong. His visit comes amid seemingly improving relations between the Vatican and mainland China. Photo: Handout

Editorial | Vatican raises hopes with new role for Hong Kong’s Chow

By making city bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan a cardinal, Rome has established an important bridge between mainland China and the church

7 Oct 2023 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s top Catholic priest Stephen Chow made a cardinal by Pope Francis

Chow was among 21 bishops promoted in ceremony hosted by pontiff at St Peter’s Square, making him fourth in city’s history to hold the title.

30 Sep 2023 - 10:54PM

Pope returns to Rome from Mongolia trip dominated by China

‘Relations with China are very respectful, very. I have a great admiration for the Chinese people,’ the pope told reporters on his flight back to Rome on Monday.

5 Sep 2023 - 1:51AMvideocam

Pope Francis shakes hands with Mongolia’s minister of foreign affairs Batmunkh Battsetseg before leaving Ulaanbaatar on Monday. Photo: Vatican Media / AFP

Pope Francis praises Mongolia but warns of corruption, environmental ruin

The pontiff says Mongolia’s tradition of living in harmony with nature and its creatures ‘can contribute significantly’ to efforts to protect Earth.

2 Sep 2023 - 4:22PM

Pope Francis attends a welcome ceremony with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh at Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Pope arrives in Mongolia, a nation of 1,400 Catholics on China’s doorstep

Pope Francis sent a message of ‘unity and peace’ to China as he made his first trip to Buddhist-majority Mongolia.

1 Sep 2023 - 3:21PM

Shanghai bishop approved by Pope as Vatican chides China for ‘violation’

Pope Francis has named Bishop Joseph Shen Bin to head the vacant Shanghai diocese after China moved him from Jiangsu province earlier this year in an apparent violation of a bilateral pact.

15 Jul 2023 - 10:18PM

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Editorial | Chow gives boost to reconciliation hopes

On his elevation to cardinal, the head of the Hong Kong Catholic diocese, Stephen Chow Sau-yan, has renewed calls for peace in a divided society and pledged to reach out to mainland China.

13 Jul 2023 - 6:30AM

Stephen Chow Sau-yan, Hong Kong’s Catholic Bishop, meets the media outside the Catholic Diocese Centre. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong politics

Being patriotic requires ‘extra effort’ by colonial-era Hongkongers: Catholic cleric

Bishop Stephen Chow acknowledges recent call for patriotism could spark ‘complicated emotions’, but says faith can help teach people to love country, church.

28 Apr 2023 - 8:52PM

Hong Kong politics

Patriotism is everyone’s duty, Hong Kong bishop says during historic Beijing trip

Bishop Stephen Chow’s five-day trip marks first time city’s top Catholic cleric has visited Beijing since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.

22 Apr 2023 - 1:35AM

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong Catholic bishop calls for closer ties with mainland Chinese churches

Five-day visit by Bishop Stephen Chow marks first time local top Catholic cleric has made Beijing trip since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule.

20 Apr 2023 - 9:06PM

Bishop Stephen Chow of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

My Take | Uneasy pact appears to suit Vatican and China right now

Both Rome and Beijing have bigger things to worry about than a deal on mutually acceptable bishops especially as Hong Kong’s top Catholic cleric travels to meet mainland counterpart.

17 Apr 2023 - 9:00PM

The square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Photo: Bloomberg

Catholic Church

Vatican says China has unilaterally appointed bishop to Shanghai

The move to transfer Bishop Shen Bin from Haimen to the largest Roman Catholic diocese in the country appears to violate a secret pact between the 2 states.

5 Apr 2023 - 2:17AMvideocam

Pope Benedict XVI

Letters | From China to Iraq, the legacy and lessons of former Pope Benedict

Readers discuss lessons from the eight-year papacy of Benedict XVI, and the current information war around Ukraine.

3 Jan 2023 - 11:30AM

Religion in China

Vatican confirms renewal of accord with China on bishops’ appointments

Only six new bishops have been appointed since the deal was struck, which opponents say proves it is not producing desired effects.

22 Oct 2022 - 9:25PMvideocam

The latest Vatican-China deal centres on cooperation over the appointment of bishops, giving the pope the final and decisive say. Photo: AFP

China declines Xi-Pope Francis meeting in Kazakhstan, Vatican source says

Beijing turns down Vatican’s ‘expression of availability’ because Chinese president’s schedule is full, according to source.

16 Sep 2022 - 3:08PMvideocam

Pope Francis has tried to ease the historically poor relations between the Holy See and China. Photo: AFP

Taiwan sends special envoy to beatification of former pope

Chen Chien-je, a former vice-president, will attend the ceremony to highlight ‘the close friendship’ between Taiwan and the Vatican.

3 Sep 2022 - 12:43PM

Beijing tells new Catholic leaders to ‘fend off infiltration by foreign forces’

Top political adviser Wang Yang met the newly elected leaders of two state-sponsored church bodies in China.

24 Aug 2022 - 10:19PMvideocam

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