China expresses condolences over death of Pope Francis

22/4/2025 19:08

China's foreign ministry on Tuesday expressed condolences over the death of Pope Francis, but said it had no information to share on who might attend the funeral.



China and the Vatican have in recent years maintained constructive contact and carried out beneficial exchanges, ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing in Beijing.



China is willing to work with the Vatican to continue to improve bilateral relations, Guo said.



The two countries in October last year extended for four years a landmark 2018 agreement on the appointment of Catholic bishops in China.



The renewal suggested improving ties between Beijing and the Vatican despite tension over Taiwan, the democratically-governed island China claims as its own and with which the Vatican has formal diplomatic relations.