During a Mass in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Pope Francis sent warm greetings to the people of China, describing them as a “noble” nation. In an unplanned address, he called upon Catholics in China to embrace their roles as “good Christians and good citizens,” demonstrating his ongoing efforts to foster dialogue and understanding with the country.
The pontiff invited Cardinal John Tong Hon, the former archbishop of Hong Kong, and Archbishop Stephen Chow, the current archbishop, to join him on stage as he delivered his message. Expressing his wishes for the progress and well-being of the Chinese people, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of continuous advancement.
The occasion marked a significant event where the Pope and a substantial portion of a country’s Catholic population congregated in one place. On the previous day, Pope Francis reassured governments that the Catholic Church harbors no political agenda, seeking to dispel any concerns they may have.
Archbishop Chow, who is scheduled to be elevated to cardinal status later this month, made headlines in April with his visit to the Chinese capital, becoming the first bishop from the former British colony of Hong Kong to do so in nearly three decades. During a papal event, he expressed his hopes for the Church in Hong Kong to serve as a bridge between the region and mainland China.
Accompanied by a delegation of approximately 40 Hong Kong Catholics, Archbishop Chow emphasized the growth of the Catholic Church in Asia, highlighting its ability to facilitate greater understanding between Eastern and Western Catholics.
Pope Francis’ gesture of extending greetings to China and encouraging the harmonious coexistence of faith and citizenship reflects his ongoing commitment to building bridges and fostering dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Chinese people.
On Saturday, Francis said governments have nothing to fear from the Catholic Church because it has no political agenda.
Chow, Hong Kong’s top Catholic cleric, in April made the first visit to the Chinese capital by a bishop of the former British colony in nearly 30 years.
Chow, who will be a made a cardinal by the pope this month, told reporters at a papal event on Saturday that he hoped the Church in Hong Kong could be a “bridge Church” with mainland China.
Chow led a delegation of about 40 Catholics from Hong Kong, Chow and said the Catholic Church in Asia was growing and in a position two help Catholics from the East and the West better understand each other