China-Vatican deal

The Latest

Flag of China.

First Chinese bishop consecrated after Vatican-China deal

Aug 27, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

A new bishop was consecrated Monday in Inner Mongolia, China, becoming the first bishop to be consecrated in the country... 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

Secretary of State of the Holy See Cardinal Pietro Parolin during a meeting with President of Ukraine, June, 2016.

Beijing and Rome can work together, Parolin tells Chinese media

May 13, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Pietro Parolin welcomed the opportunity for China and the Holy See to work together to “build a more secure and prosperous world.”  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

Sacred Heart Cathedral in Guangzhou.

Chinese city offers cash incentives to informants on illegal religious groups

Apr 1, 2019

Guangzhou, the capital of China's Guangdong province, is offering to pay citizens in exchange for information on “illegal religious groups”... Read more

Chinese president Xi Jinping at a press conference after a meeting with the German chancellor in Berlin, July 5, 2017.

Will Pope Francis meet the Chinese president this week?

Mar 20, 2019

By Courtney Mares

As Chinese President Xi Jinping travels to Rome this week, there has been much speculation as to whether his trip... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Vatican-China deal must be implemented, Parolin says

Mar 1, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Speaking at a conference on Vatican diplomacy, the Holy See’s Secretary of State stressed that it is now important “to... Read more

Flags of China and Vatican City.

Chinese human rights activist on Vatican-China deal: 'A slap in the face'

Nov 27, 2018

Chinese human rights activist Chen Guangcheng called the Vatican’s pact with China over the selection of bishops “preposterous” in a... Read more

Pope Francis waves in St. Peter's Square Sept. 26, 2018.

Pope Francis urges reconciliation in message to Church in China

Sep 26, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis sent a message Wednesday to encourage Chinese Catholics to work toward reconciliation and communion with one another following... Read more

Pope Francis on Sept. 26, 2018.

For the persecuted, there is hope in Mary's care, Pope Francis says

Sep 26, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Despite the pain and suffering they have experienced, Catholics in the Baltic states can take hope in the steadfast care... Read more

Pope Francis prepares to board the papal plane, Jan. 15, 2018.

Pope Francis takes responsibility for China deal

Sep 25, 2018

Pope Francis took responsibility Tuesday for the agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China, noting that... Read more

Pope Francis waves at pilgrims from China at the general audience Sept. 7, 2016.

Pope recognizes illicitly ordained Chinese bishops

Sep 22, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

After the signing Saturday of a provisional Vatican-China deal on the nomination of bishops, the Vatican announced Pope Francis’ recognition... Read more

Flags of China and Vatican City.

Vatican signs deal with China on bishop appointments

Sep 22, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

An expected agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China on the appointment of bishops was signed... Read more

Chinese and Vatican flags.

Vatican delegation will travel to China this month to finalize agreement, Chinese newspaper reports

Sep 18, 2018

A newspaper tied to the Chinese Communist Party reported Tuesday that a delegation of Vatican officials will head to China... Read more

Pilgrims from China at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on April 5, 2016.

Archbishop McCarrick’s unofficial role in Vatican-China relations

Sep 17, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Over 20 years, Archbishop McCarrick traveled to China on at least eight occasions, sometimes staying in a state-controlled Beijing seminary,... Read more

Pilgrims from China at a general audience in St. Peter's Square

In China, government-aligned bishops release ‘Sinicization’ plan

Jul 24, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

Continuing a controversial plan, Chinese bishops allied with the government have told dioceses to prepare local versions of a “Sinicization”... Read more

Archbishop Hung Shan-Chuan of Taipei.

Taiwanese bishops discuss China deal and papal visit with Pope Francis

May 15, 2018

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis discussed the state of the Church with Taiwan’s bishops this week, while assuring them that episcopal appointments in... Read more

The flags of the Republic of China and the Vatican.

Taiwan's bishops gather at the Vatican for first time in 10 years

May 10, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

The bishops of the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan, arrived in Rome earlier this week ahead of meetings... Read more

Chinese flag.

What the 'Great Firewall' might signal for Vatican-China deal

Mar 23, 2018

By Courtney Mares

As the Chinese government tightens control over Christian groups in the country, experts caution that Beijing is positioned to further... Read more

The flag of China.

In China, government-appointed bishops support Xi, Vatican-China deal

Mar 13, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Government-backed bishops have spoken out publicly in support of the Vatican-China deal in a Chinese media interview at the Chinese... Read more