Sun May 25 20:47:09 UTC 2025: **Pope Leo XIV Addresses Sensitive China-Vatican Relations in First Public Remarks**

VATICAN CITY – In his first major address since being elected, Pope Leo XIV has called for prayers for Catholics in China, acknowledging the complex and often fraught relationship between the Vatican and Beijing. Speaking to a crowd of approximately 35,000 faithful on Sunday, the pontiff invoked the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, a feast day established by Pope Benedict XVI to promote unity among the estimated 12 million Chinese Catholics.

Pope Leo expressed hope that the prayers would grant Chinese Catholics and all believers “the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials, to always promote peace and harmony.”

The Pope’s remarks come at a critical juncture, with the Church grappling with the future of a controversial 2018 agreement between the Holy See and China. The deal, which gives Beijing a say in the appointment of Catholic bishops in China, was intended to bridge the divide between the state-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and the underground Church loyal to Rome.

While the Vatican, under Pope Francis, hailed the agreement as a necessary step towards reconciliation, it has faced strong criticism, particularly from conservative factions within the Church. Critics accuse the Vatican of conceding too much to the Communist government and abandoning the underground Church.

Details of the agreement remain confidential, though the Vatican has maintained that the Pope retains veto power over bishop appointments. Despite the agreement, tensions persist, with recent reports of unilateral bishop appointments by Beijing without papal consent, raising concerns about potential violations of the accord.

Pope Leo XIV now faces the crucial decision of whether to renew the agreement, a decision that will significantly shape the future of the Catholic Church in China and its relationship with the Chinese government. This complex geopolitical issue was a major topic leading up to the conclave that elected Pope Leo, underscoring its significance for the new papacy. The Vatican has been working to improve relations with China, which were officially severed over seven decades ago.

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