Pope Francis Holds Audience With Chinese Pilgrims
A group of faithful from China broke protocol when they approached Pope Francis while having a general audience with pilgrims on Wednesday, March 15. Swiss Guards tried to prevent the Chinese people from going near the pontiff, but he stopped them and spent a few moments with the visitors.
Pope Francis was circling Peter's Square on his popemobile, stopping along the way to kiss babies and wave at people. A group of Chinese pilgrims from Tanjin Meng Fu Lu Chang group grabbed the opportunity to be close to him. They were in tears as they waved Chinese flags. Two of them walked on bended knees and the pope helped them up. He also blessed the statue of Our Lady of Fatima that they carried.
Diplomatic relations between Vatican and China have not been restored after it broke down in 1951, two years after the Communists took power in that country. The state recognizes Catholic worship services only by the government-controlled Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA).
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The government rejects Rome's authority to appoint bishops, prompting priests, nuns and lay people of the Chinese dioceses to elect their own bishops in compliance to the "self-nomination and self-ordination" enforced by CPCA. The elected bishops then apply for the Holy See's approval.
"[The illegitimate bishops] still make every effort to explain to the pope afterwards [why they were ordained without his permission] and ask for his understanding and acceptance," Cardinal John Tong of Hong Kong told Catholic Herald. "Of course, if all the requirements are fulfilled, they will be absolved, accepted and probably be entrusted with the power to govern dioceses."
Meanwhile, the Holy See has been working on an accord to reestablish diplomatic relations with China. In August 2014, the Communist government for the first time allowed the papal plane to fly over Chinese airspace when Pope Francis was en route to South Korea.
To express his gratitude, the pope sent President Xi Jinping a telegram expressing his best wishes, indicating a warming of relations between the two states. Pope John Paul II used to avoid passing through China's airspace when visiting Asia throughout his 26-year papacy.
