Why has Pope Francis never been to China? Understand

The PAPA FRANCISCO expressed a desire to visit the China and has tried to make a meeting with the Chinese president, however he did not take a trip to the country.

The Vatican sought a meeting of the Pope with Xi Jinping in Kazakhstan, but China refused, according to a source. A meeting between the two men, as soon as it was, would have been historical.

THE Chinaa state officially atheisthouses millions of Catholicsbut the government maintains a complex relationship with the Vatican.

THE Chinese Communist Partyofficially atheistand the Holy See They have not maintained formal diplomatic relations since 1951, when the communist regime broke the ties and expelled the papal envoy.

It is estimated that there are about 6 million Catholics in the Chinaaccording to official data, but the actual number may be higher considering those who attend clandestine churches.

In 2014, OPAPA 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 the Nur-Sultan capital, where the two men would be.

“I have no news about it,” replied the Pope. “But I’m always ready to go to China,” he added.

Francis tried to relieve historically bad relationships between the Holy See and China and told Reuters that he expected to renew a secret and contested agreement on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops in China.

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 Taiwanpoint of discord with the Chinawhich claims the island as part of the Chinese territory.

Taiwanin turn, reacted promptly to the news of the death of the Porridge 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 Chinaallowing 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.

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.

Was this content originally published in why Pope Francis never went to China? Understand on CNN Brazil.

Source: CNN Brasil

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