Leo said that, on the day of the feast, “in the churches and sanctuaries of China and from all over the world, prayers are directed to God as a sign of solicitude and affection by Chinese Catholics and their communion with the Universal Church.”
Pope Leo XIV has called for prayers this Sunday so that China’s Catholics are in communion with the Holy See, making the first public commentary on one of the most difficult foreign policy issues that his pontificate faces.
The head of the Catholic Church recalled that, on Saturday, it was pointed out “a special day of feast” to pray for the Church in China to unify the approximately 12 million Chinese Catholics, who were divided between an official state, controlled by the state, which did not recognize papal authority, and a clandestine church that remained faithful to Rome during decades of persecution, according to Associated Press.
Leo said that on the day of the feast, “in churches and sanctuaries of China and around the world, prayers are directed to God as a sign of the solicitude and affection by Chinese Catholics and their communion with the Universal Church.”
Speaking of the window of his studio during the blessing of noon, the first American pope in history, prayed that Catholics in China and other places “get the grace to be strong and cheerful witnesses of the gospel, even in the midst of trials, to always promote peace and harmony.”
Pope Francis took the unification efforts of Benedict XVI further by approving a controversial agreement in 2018 between the Holy See and Beijing on the nominations of bishops.
The details of the agreement have never been disclosed, but allows the state -controlled church to have a word to say about its church leaders, although Francis has insisted that he maintained veto power on the final choice.
The deal has been criticized by some, especially by the Catholic right, for giving in to Beijing’s demands and sold the clandestine faithful in China. The Vatican said it was the best agreement he could get and has since been renewed periodically.
Leo XIV will have to decide whether to continue to renew the agreement.
There were some apparent violations by Beijing, with some unilateral appointments that occurred without papal consent. The issue reached the peak shortly before the conclave that elected Lion Pope, when the Chinese church proceeded to the preliminary election of two bishops, a step before the official consecration.
