Pope Francis paid tribute on Wednesday to Chinese Catholics for holding on to their faith despite « hardships and trials », an apparent reference to Beijing
Pope Francis paid tribute on Wednesday to Chinese Catholics for holding on to their faith despite “hardships and trials”, an apparent reference to Beijing’s restrictions on religion.
His comments to tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience came as the Vatican and China are still in the implementation phase of a landmark deal, signed last September, on the appointment of bishops.
The deal has split Catholics in China and around the world, with some critics of the pope saying he has caved in to the Communist government. The deal’s most outspoken critic has been Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former archbishop of Hong Kong.
Francis noted that this Friday would mark a feast day particularly celebrated by Catholics at the shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan, near Shanghai.
