Vatican and China extend deal over Catholic bishop appointments

22/10/2024 19:14

        China and the Vatican have agreed to extend an agreement on the appointment of bishops in China for a longer period of four years, a Chinese foreign
        ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
        
        The two sides will continue to hold talks in a constructive manner and advance the improvement of relations, Lin Jian told a regular press briefing.
        
        There was no immediate confirmation from the Vatican.
        
        The Vatican struck a landmark deal with the Beijing government in 2018 over the appointment of Catholic bishops in the country.
        
        The agreement, which was previously renewed every two years, gives Chinese officials some input into who Pope Francis appoints as bishops in the country, and seeks to ease tensions in China between an underground Catholic flock loyal to the pope and the state-backed Catholic church.