Thu Apr 24 08:36:09 UTC 2025: ## Hong Kong Cardinal Allowed to Attend Pope Francis’ Funeral
**Vatican City/Hong Kong –** Hong Kong’s Cardinal Joseph Zen, a prominent critic of the Vatican’s deal with China, has been granted permission to leave Hong Kong to attend Pope Francis’ funeral. The 93-year-old, whose passport was confiscated following his 2022 arrest under a national security law, successfully petitioned a court for its return. His secretary confirmed he departed on April 23rd and will return to Hong Kong after the funeral on April 26th.
Cardinal Zen’s outspoken criticism of the Vatican’s agreement with Beijing regarding bishop appointments, and his condemnation of Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, a potential successor to the Pope, have been widely reported. He also recently questioned the timing of pre-conclave meetings.
The Cardinal’s 2022 arrest, though unrelated to national security charges at this time, sent shockwaves through the Catholic community. He and five others were fined for failing to register a fund supporting 2019 pro-democracy protesters; an appeal is pending.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Cardinal Stephen Chow will represent Hong Kong at the conclave. His 2023 invitation to a Beijing bishop – a first – was seen as a potential step towards strengthening ties between China and the Vatican, which have been severed since the Chinese Communist Party’s rise to power. The complex relationship continues to divide Chinese Catholics between those loyal to the state-sanctioned church and those belonging to the underground church loyal to the Pope.
First Piper 