Beijing, China, Aug 21, 2008 / 15:11 pm
Joseph Li Shan, Bishop of Beijing, speaking in a Wednesday interview with an Italian television station, said China’s relations with the Vatican were improving and expressed hopes that Pope Benedict XVI could visit China. In response, the Vatican said the invitation was “very positive and encouraging,” but also “premature for now.”
“We very much hope that the Pope will come to China,” Bishop Li told the Italian state television organization RAI. “It's a great aspiration, and we hope it will materialize. Relations with the Vatican are constantly improving.”
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told Vatican Radio that talk about a papal trip to China was “premature for now,” but Bishop Li’s invitation shows “all Chinese Catholics love and respect the Pope and recognize his authority,” the Times reports.
Father Lombardi said there were “still many unresolved problems” in China-Vatican relations.