Pope Francis’ death was a moment of concern, as China reacted through Guo Jiakun, the foreign ministry’s regular spokesperson. The Vatican had already confirmed the pontiff’s death shortly before that announcement. For more than a decade, he had been the shepherd of the Catholic Church. Despite this formal gesture, President Xi Jinping has yet to post a personal tribute or expression of condolences. This strange silence has sparked discussions on the state of Sino-Vatican relations today.
In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive contact and engaged in positive exchanges, which many had hoped would lead to improved relations. These interactions occur within a complex, often contradictory, framework. The central Chinese government has a long-standing suspicion of organized religion and conducts a very special relationship with the Vatican. As China continues to come to terms with its evolving religious scene, the meaning of the death of Pope Francis for both institutions is huge.
Historical Context of Sino-Vatican Relations
The diplomatic relationship between China and the Holy See has been fraught with tension since ties were severed in 1951. This theological cold war has prevented any pope from setting foot in mainland China. Despite several gestures of reconciliation over the years, no pope has visited since. For now, China’s Catholic community remains splintered. While official churches toe the line under the state-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association, underground congregations still largely recognize the authority of the Vatican. For about 10 million Catholics who live in China today, often forced to walk this fine line, their faith continues to be watched even as it is practiced.
In 2018, Pope Francis took a dramatic step of signing a secret agreement with the Chinese government on how to appoint bishops. The specifics of this new agreement are still under wraps, fueling much speculation — both laudatory and alarmed — among advocates and practitioners. “It was seen as a real opportunity by the Chinese government. That’s when they signed a secret agreement — to this day, no one knows what’s in it,” said Mr. Zhang, a religious scholar.
Against this tapestry of interests, China’s increasingly assertive position toward Taiwan, and call for new China-U.S. As noted above, the Vatican is the last European state to have formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. Beijing sees Taipei as a secessionist province and vehemently objects to such bilateral interactions. This makes things tricky, too, because China does not acknowledge the Vatican’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The Current Landscape of Catholicism in China
The Chinese government’s treatment of religious communities highlights its commitment to keeping patriotism above spiritual loyalty on the hierarchy of demands. “Whether it’s Catholicism or Christianity, the state demands [that people] love the country and love the religion, with patriotism first,” remarked Mr. Zhang. This deeply problematic policy is creating a rift between the Catholic community. Our underground churches are wounded by compromises that favor state-sanctioned religious practice at the expense of their faith.
Mr. Zhang’s experience sheds light upon the daily fight for authenticity that underground Catholic churches and bishops continue to face in China. “They were just absolutely done dirty,” he added. Because of heavy-handed government control, we have entered a complicated space where faith comes second to loyalty to country.
“China is willing to work with the Vatican to continue improving bilateral relations,” Guo Jiakun stated, indicating an openness to dialogue even in light of Pope Francis’s passing.
Implications for Future Relations
As China awaits Pope Francis’s funeral, speculation mounts about the form its representation will take. We’re hoping that an official congressional representative will be present, though details are still being worked out. Xi Jinping’s absence of a personal message fuels fears. Picture this. It leads us to wonder just how seriously Beijing is taking its relationship with the Vatican at this perilous time in history.
Some observers argue that recent geopolitical dynamics should shape China’s policy toward the Catholic Church. “Right now, one of the core challenges for China is its engagement with the US,” observed Mr. Zhang. He suggested that Chinese policy towards religious institutions generally will be shaped to serve its larger diplomatic goals.
Michel Chambon noted that Beijing could be reluctant to allow a chair to go empty at the funeral. They might be loathe to let representatives from Taiwan occupy it. “That’s because there is no formal diplomatic relationship,” he explained, pointing out the delicate balance China must maintain in its international relations.
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