From around the world, condolences come to the Vatican about the death of Pope Francis. So far, no words of farewell to the Holy Father have been spoken by the president of China Xi Jinping. The media have their explanation why the Chinese leader is silent.
The Abc.net.au portal notes that "While Beijing had long opposed formal ties with the Holy See, the Chinese government besides did not pay tribute – until Tuesday evening". A spokesperson for the abroad Ministry of Guo Jiakun said only at a regular press conference: “We offer condolences on the death of Pope Francis.” He added that China and the Vatican in fresh years "have maintained constructive contacts and engaged in affirmative exchanges". China "are ready to work with the Vatican to proceed improving bilateral relations".
Jiakun questioned whether Beijing intended to send its authoritative typical to the pope's funeral, he replied that he had no idea.
Pope Francis frequently said on various occasions that he would gladly visit China, which he admired for many reasons. There's never been a journey like this. Despite diplomatic procedures, no pope was always allowed to enter mainland China.
Beijing broke diplomatic relations with the Holy See 2 years after the founding of the Communist People's Republic of China in 1951. At the time, about 3 million Catholics lived in the country. The authorities introduced control over spiritual practices through the state administration system. At the same time, the process of persecution of conservative Catholics faithful to Rome and trying to keep universal values began.
While Chinese communists viewed the pontificate of John Paul II or Benedict XVI with hostility, their attitude changed somewhat with respect to Pope Francis, who “was disgusted with capitalism, supported socialism, adopted the Latin American liberation theology, and even recognized certain aspects of Marxist thought.” For this reason, among another things, a secret agreement was signed between the Vatican and Beijing in 2018, which was quietly renewed in 2024. The agreement allows communist authorities to decide, among others, the appointment of bishops.
The agreement, which has not yet been disclosed, divided Chinese Catholics. any of them inactive stay in the alleged underground Church, resenting the Holy See for betraying them, exposing them to even greater persecution. For the Vatican insisted that all Catholics should submit to the Communist-sanctioned Patriotic Church, fulfilling the expectations of power.
Beijing besides refuses to recognise Vatican diplomatic relations with Taiwan, seen as a detached province. The Holy See is even a spokesperson for Taiwan's interests internationally. Following the death of the Pope, Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te issued a statement, "putting distant the most sincere condolences on behalf of the Taiwanese people for the Catholic community and all mourning the death of His Holiness Pope Francis". Taipei is to send high-ranking officials as peculiar envoys to Francis' funeral, thus confirming its long-standing diplomatic relations with the Holy See, the only European state.
Beijing is expected to besides send its typical to Rome, but it is presently being considered by the geopolitical prism, especially in the context of expanding tensions with Washington. And the Chinese policy towards the Catholic Church is to be developed with this challenge in mind.
Dr. Michel Chambon, a investigator at the Asian Catholic Studies Initiative at the National University of Singapore suggests that the Holy See and China in the current situation may be "potential partners" in addressing global political challenges, especially at a time erstwhile China's relations with the US became tense. According to Dr. Chambon, Pope Francis “reset” the way these 2 entities work together.
However, it is not known whether the next Pope will keep the current approach to China or whether he will push for renegotiation of the agreement. This is besides feared by the Beijing authorities, who have intensified repression of spiritual practices, maintaining close control over all forms of worship and looking at abroad spiritual influences with deep suspicion.
So far, the Communist organization of China has benefited the most from the 2018 deal, while the Vatican gained little, if anything, as Fenggang Yang of the Center of religion and Global East at Purdue University commented.
ABC.net portal suggests that in the interests of the Communist organization of China, led by Xi Jinping is not close to the Vatican, but a distance. It was through specified a policy that China managed to gain much more in politics with the Holy See, which sanctioned the Chinese model of "Catholicism" through a secret agreement.
Fortunately, there are no more Sinized Catholics, the alleged patriotic Church, who are obliged to diligently survey Communist works and follow their instructions. However, the number of supporters of the underground Church, the faithful doctrine of the Catholic Church, is increasing.
Source: abc.net.au
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