Pope Francis REFUSES to meet US Secretary Mike Pompeo
amid Vatican – China row
TENSIONS between the US and the Vatican have increased after Pope Francis refused to meet with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
By EDWARD BROWNE
PUBLISHED: 01:43, Mon, Sep 28, 2020
UPDATED: 02:26, Mon, Sep 28, 2020
The top US diplomat has recently been vocal in his criticism of the Vatican’s relationship with China. Both are due to decide on whether or not to renew a deal which allows the Vatican to approve which bishops are appointed by the China’s state churches.
However, Mr Pompeo has argued the Vatican should not renew any such deal with China, highlighting religious persecution carried out by Xi Jinping’s government.
The Secretary of State wrote in an article for First Things magazine this month: “The human rights situation in China has deteriorated severely under the autocratic rule of Xi Jinping, especially for religious believers.”
He added there have been “credible reports” of “forced sterilizations and abortions of Muslims in Xinjiang” as well as “abuse of Catholic priests and laypeople”.
Mr Pompeo was due to meet with Pope Francis to discuss any renewal of the Vatican’s agreement with China this month.
The Pope has now refused to meet with the diplomat – though his office stated the reason was due to concerns surrounding impartiality about the upcoming US election, Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported.
There are conflicting reports on the current status of the renewal. The Telegraph reported yesterday the accord is expected to be renewed, while Independent Catholic News cites a Reuters report claiming it has already been extended.
In any case, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said regarding the agreement there is “good communication” between China and the Vatican.
More at link:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1340717/China-news-pope-francis-Vatican-mike-pompeo-xinjiang-muslims