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Diplomatic Deals: A Cycle of Hope and Disappointment
Efforts to establish diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Beijing have persisted for over three decades, culminating in a deal made by Pope Francis in 2018 that mirrored those proposed by his predecessors. Influential bureaucrats have continuously pushed for this agreement, leveraging the inexperience of the current pope, who may wish to emulate historical figures like Matteo Ricci. However, the Chinese authorities have consistently failed to uphold their commitments, prompting the Holy See to renew the agreement despite this repeated noncompliance. This pattern raises questions about the motivations behind such diplomatic engagements and the effectiveness of the Vatican's strategies.