Pope Francis Navigates Vatican-China Relations with Caution and Hope

Pope Francis revealed the existence of a joint commission between the Chinese government and the Holy See on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China, presided over by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Pope emphasized the need for further dialogue and understanding between the Vatican and China, stating that the Church does not reject Chinese culture and values. He also mentioned that the Vatican and China have engaged in foreign exchanges with Catholic priests and intellectuals teaching at a university in China. The Pope's comments provide insight into the confidential provisional agreement between the Holy See and Beijing on the appointment of bishops, which was signed in September 2018. Additionally, he expressed optimism about the possibility of a future papal trip to Vietnam.