Vatican-China relations

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The episcopal consecration of Francis Cui Qingqi in Wuhan, China, Sept. 8, 2021.

U.S. religious freedom commission ‘tremendously disappointed’ with Vatican-China deal renewal

Oct 26, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom says it is “tremendously disappointed” with the Vatican’s decision.  Read more

A Vatican delegation sent to China between Aug. 28 and Sept. 2, 2022, visited 92-year-old Bishop Melchior Shi Hongzhen, seen here in a photo taken on May 24, 2015. The visit was a strong signal from the Holy See that despite the desire to carry on a dialogue, the situation of Catholics in China has not been forgotten.

Analysis: The diplomatic principles behind the Vatican’s agreement with China

Oct 26, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Two aspects are key to understanding the Vatican’s diplomatic approach. Read more

President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping during the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China.

Report: Pope Francis sought to meet with Xi Jinping, but China declined

Sep 16, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis expressed his “availability” to meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping while both men were in Kazakhstan this week,... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, pictured on July 2, 2015.

Cardinal Parolin hopes Zen arrest will not complicate Vatican-China dialogue

May 13, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Parolin said: ‘I would like to express my closeness to the cardinal who was freed and treated well.’ Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

5 things to know about Cardinal Zen

May 11, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 90-year-old cardinal was arrested and released on bail on May 11. Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen. Courtesy Photo.

Cardinal Zen arrest: A roundup of reactions

May 11, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

‘The arrest of Cardinal Zen sends a chilling message,’ said William Nee of Chinese Human Rights Defenders. Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on April 27, 2017.

Cardinal Parolin says he hopes Vatican-China deal can be tweaked

Apr 11, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In Part 3 of an exclusive interview, the Vatican Secretary of State looks ahead to the deal’s renewal in October. Read more

Catholics carry a portrait of the Virgin Mary in China’s Hebei Province on May 26, 2013.

Catholics in China told to celebrate communist party and forgo Marian pilgrimage

Aug 13, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Catholic dioceses across China hosted celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) this year, while pilgrimages... Read more

Chinese foreign ministry's spokesman Zhao Lijan.

China’s foreign ministry: Vatican deal has been ‘implemented successfully’

Sep 10, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said Thursday that China’s interim deal with the Vatican has been “implemented successfully.”  Read more

China & Vatican flags. Image via Shutterstock

Analysis: The Vatican and China Part I, the Mainland

Jul 22, 2020

By Ed Condon

While Catholic China watchers have long focused on the ongoing human rights crisis in the country, broader media attention has... Read more

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, meets with Wang Yi, China's foreign minister, in Munich, Feb. 14, 2020.

Chinese media: Recent meeting of Sino-Vatican diplomats was pope's idea

Feb 19, 2020

The Vatican secretary for relations with states, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of... Read more

China & Vatican flags. Image via Shutterstock

Chinese bishop says Catholics must put 'love for homeland' first

Dec 3, 2019

A Chinese bishop has said that Catholics in the country must put their loyalty to the state before the faith.... Read more

Tiananmen Square - Entrance to Forbidden City, Beijing, China.

China marks 70 years of communism and human rights abuses

Oct 1, 2019

On Tuesday, the People’s Republic of China marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the country’s communist regime. While... Read more

Ruins of Saint Paul's Cathedral in Macau, China.

Amid Hong Kong protests, Beijing cracks down on some Chinese Catholics

Sep 30, 2019

The persecution of Catholics in mainland China is increasing after prominent Catholic figures in Hong Kong continue to speak out... Read more

Protest Against Christian Persecution in China, Sept. 14, 2019, Cologne, Germany.

China harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, human rights group claims

Sep 26, 2019

The Chinese government is harvesting organs from religious and ethnic minorities, a human rights organization told the United Nations Human... Read more

 Flags of China and Vatican City.

Chinese priests do not need to register with government, Vatican says

Jun 28, 2019

The Vatican issued new guidance for clergy in mainland China on Friday, addressing government requirements that they register with the... Read more

A CCTV security camera in Beijing.

China's technological controls keep Christians under constant surveillance

May 23, 2019

By Courtney Mares

As the 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests approaches, the Chinese Communist Party is utilizing authoritarian tactics old and... Read more

Flag of China.

After Vatican-China deal, Chinese bishop imprisoned for 23 years is not yet released

May 8, 2019

The nephew of a Chinese bishop who was arrested 23 years ago has said he does not know where his... Read more

Religious liberty report highlights China's repression of Muslims, Christians

Apr 29, 2019

The majority of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom are found in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, according... Read more

Wang Yi leads a service at Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, China, October 2018. Photo courtesy of Early Rain Covenant Church.

This Protestant pastor has been detained in China since December

Mar 25, 2019

Wang Yi and more than 100 members of his congregation were detained in China's Sichuan province in early December. Some... Read more