Message from above for President Xi
Print Edition
POPE Francis sent an unprecedented goodwill message to China’s leadership yesterday, offering his blessings to a nation it has no diplomatic relations.
The pontiff, in South Korea on his first papal visit to Asia, took advantage of protocol that sees him send messages to leaders of countries whenever he flies through their airspace.
“Upon entering Chinese airspace, I extend best wishes to your excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke the divine blessings of peace and wellbeing on the nation,” he said in a radio message to Chinese President Xi Jinping. When Pope John Paul II visited South Korea in 1989, Beijing refused to let his plane fly over China.
“We take note of Pope Francis’s position,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said when asked to comment on the message.
“China all along has retained sincerity toward improving China-Vatican relations,” she said. “Furthermore, we continuously make active efforts in this respect.
“We are willing to continue making efforts with the Vatican to advance constructive dialogue and promote the process of improving bilateral relations.”
In March last year, China warned the Vatican against “interfering in China’s internal affairs, including under the pretext of religion.”
China has 5.7 million Catholics, according to official data.
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