Today, Explained The Pope’s big bet on China
9 snips
Sep 10, 2024 
Francis X. Rocca, a veteran Vatican journalist, and Jonathan Tan, a professor of Catholic studies, delve into Pope Francis’s strategic outreach to Asia, particularly the complex relationship with China’s 10 million Catholics. They discuss the evolving dynamics between the Vatican and the Chinese Communist Party, highlighting the challenges of church autonomy and the impact of a 2018 agreement on bishop appointments. The duo also explores the Pope's diplomatic mission amidst geopolitical tensions, shaping the future of Catholicism in a rapidly changing region.
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Asian Catholic Growth
- Asian Catholicism grows, unlike declining European and Latin American trends.
- This growth presents a unique opportunity for the Church.
China's Importance
- China's significance stems from its large Catholic population and the Pope's inability to visit.
- This highlights the complex relationship between the Vatican and China.
Chinese Catholic Divide
- Around 10 million Catholics live in China, split between an underground and official church.
- The division creates tension with the Vatican.