Beijing, China, Jul 24, 2007 / 07:52 am
The vice-chairman of the Chinese state-approved Catholic Association has said that in light of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent letter to Catholics in China, he would like him to visit and celebrate Mass. For the time being, the Holy Father has chosen not to comment because of the complexity of the issue.
Vice chairman Liu Bainian’s comments came in an interview with the Italian daily La Repubblica about the Pope’s recent letter to the Church in China. He said that he wanted to use the interview as an opportunity to send the Pope his organization’s prayers and an invitation to visit.
"[We want to] Let him know that we pray for him always and may the Lord give us the grace to welcome him here among us."
"I strongly hope to be able to see the pope one day here in Beijing to celebrate Mass for us Chinese," Liu was quoted as saying.