Pope Francis died and while the world lamented the loss, the China reaction It was remarkably silent. THE China a state officially atheist houses millions of Catholics but the government maintains a complex relationship with the Vatican . The death of the religious leader It represents the loss of a global leader who promoted the approach between the two entities.
THE Chinese state media dedicated little coverage to the death of the P APA FRANCISCO . The official response of Chinese government came almost 24 hours after the announcement of the Vatican in a press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . The spokesman, Guo Jiakun expressed condolences and stated the desire of China to continue improving relationships with the Vatican .
“In recent years, China and Vatican have maintained constructive contact and have made beneficial exchanges. China is willing to work together with the Vatican to promote the continuous improvement of China-Vatican relations,” said Guo Jiakun.
This answer highlights the sensitivity of the relationships between the Chinese Communist Party officially atheist and the Holy See . THE China and the Vatican They have not maintained formal diplomatic relations since 1951, when the communist regime broke the ties and expelled the papal envoy.
Taiwan: Controversial theme
One of the controversial points in the relationship between Beijing and the representation of the Catholic Church is the fact that Vatican recognize the sovereignty of Taiwan point of discord with the China which claims the island as part of the Chinese territory.
Taiwan in turn, reacted promptly to the news of the death of the Pope Francis . The president LAI CHING-TE expressed condolences on behalf of the Taiwanese people. THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan announced the sending of an emissary to the funeral of Porridge .
The independence of the island is not the main point of discord between the church and the communist government. The appointment of Catholic bishops in China has been a point of conflict between the Vatican and Beijing .
THE Chinese Communist Party exerts rigid control over religion in China allowing the cult only in state -controlled churches. Chinese Catholics, estimated at about 10 million, are divided between the state-sanctioned church and a clandestine church faithful to Vatican .
THE Pope Francis even firm A historical but controversial agreement with the Chinese government in 2018, renewed in 2020 and 2022, with new extension in 2026 to address this issue.
Agreement between China and Vatican
The 2018 Agreement sought a compromise in the appointment of bishops. Its details were not disclosed, generating concerns between members of the clandestine church, who fear being abandoned. THE Vatican defends the agreement, stating that it is producing results and expects to open a permanent office in the China .
Critics question the union of the Church with the Chinese government, which has restricted religious freedom under the leadership of Xi Jinping . THE Vatican insists that the agreement aims to expand the number of Catholic faithful in China . The situation leaves Catholics in Taiwan apprehensive about your future if the Vatican change your diplomatic position.
Catholicism is one of the five religions recognized by the state in China where religious practice is strictly controlled by the Communist party .
Pope Francis expressed a desire to visit China
It is estimated that there are about 6 million Catholics in the China according to official data, but the actual number may be higher considering those who attend clandestine churches. THE P APA FRANCISCO expressed the desire to visit the China a country never visited by a Pope.
Vatican sought Pope with Xi Jinping, but China refused, says source
In 2014, the P APA FRANCISCO Submit a message to Xi Jinping In flying over Chinese airspace on his way to South Korea. In 2023, during a visit to Mongolia, he sent greetings to the Chinese people and asked Chinese Catholics to be good Christians and good citizens.
Speaking to reporters who accompanied him on his flight to the Central Asian Republic, Francis was asked if he could meet Xi in his capital Nur-Sultan, where the two will be on Wednesday (14).
“I have no news about it,” replied the Pope. “I’m always ready to go to China.”
Francisco tried to relieve historically bad relationships between the Holy See and China and told Reuters in an interview in July that he expected to renew a secret and contested agreement on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in China.
This content was originally published in China manifests itself on Pope Francis’ death after 24 hours; Understand on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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