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South China Morning Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Pope Leo prays for Chinese Catholics to be in communion with Rome
Pope Leo asked on Sunday for prayers for China's Catholics to be in communion with the Holy See, as he made his first public remarks about one of the thorniest foreign policy issues facing his new pontificate. History's first American pope recalled that on Saturday the Catholic Church marked a special feast day to pray for the church in China. Pope Benedict XVI had initiated the feast day as part of his efforts to unify China's estimated 12 million Catholics who were divided between an official, state-controlled church that did not recognise papal authority, and an underground church that remained loyal to Rome through decades of persecution. Leo noted that on the feast day 'in the churches and shrines in China and throughout the world, prayers have been raised to God as a sign of the solicitude and affection for Chinese Catholics and their communion with the universal church'. Speaking from his studio window during his noontime blessing, Leo XIV prayed that Catholics in China and elsewhere 'obtain the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials, to always promote peace and harmony'. Pope Francis took Benedict's unifying efforts further by approving a controversial deal in 2018 over bishop nominations. The details of the deal were never released, but it affords the state-controlled church a say in its church leaders, though Francis insisted he retained veto power over the ultimate choice.
BreakingNews.ie
25-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Pope prays for China's Catholics to be in communion with Rome
Pope Leo asked for prayers for China's Catholics to be in communion with the Holy See, as he made his first public remarks about one of the thorniest foreign policy issues facing his new pontificate. The Pope recalled that on Saturday the Catholic Church marked a special feast day to pray for the church in China. Pope Benedict XVI had initiated the feast day as part of his efforts to unify China's estimated 12 million Catholics who were divided between an official, state-controlled church that did not recognise papal authority, and an underground church that remained loyal to Rome through decades of persecution. Advertisement Leo noted that on the feast day, 'in the churches and shrines in China and throughout the world, prayers have been raised to God as a sign of the solicitude and affection for Chinese Catholics and their communion with the universal church'. Speaking from his studio window during his noon blessing on Sunday, Leo prayed that Catholics in China and elsewhere 'obtain the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials, to always promote peace and harmony'. People watch Pope Leo on a giant screen as he delivers his blessing from the window in St Peter's Square (Andrew Medichini/AP) Pope Francis took Benedict's unifying efforts further by approving a controversial deal in 2018 over bishop nominations. The details of the deal were never released, but it affords the state-controlled church a say in its church leaders, though Francis insisted he retained veto power over the ultimate choice. The deal has been criticised by some, especially on the Catholic right, for having caved to Beijing's demands and sold out the underground faithful in China. The Vatican has said it was the best deal it could get and it has been renewed periodically since then. Advertisement Leo will have to decide whether to continue renewing the accord. There have been some apparent violations on the Beijing side with some unilateral appointments that occurred without papal consent. The issue came to a head just before the conclave that elected Leo as Pope, when the Chinese church proceeded with the preliminary election of two bishops, a step that comes before official consecration. Faithful hold a banner reading 'Pope Leo XIV I love you' in St Peter's Square (Andrew Medichini/AP) Leo told the archbishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow, that he had 'visited China several times and got to know the Chinese culture and reality', according to the Fides missionary news agency, citing comments Cardinal Chow made in his diocesan weekly newsletter after the conclave. Cardinal Chow added that he expects Leo would follow Francis's direction for the church in China. He said he had given Leo a small statue of Our Lady of Sheshan, a statue of the Madonna that is particularly venerated by Chinese faithful and is celebrated on the feast day, May 24. Advertisement Cardinal Chow, a Jesuit, said he had implored Leo 'to not forget the church in China and the Chinese people', according to the newsletter. 'He nodded his head to indicate that he will not forget,' according to Fides. The Vatican has been working for years to try to improve relations with China that were officially severed over seven decades ago when the Communists came to power. Relations had long been stymied over China's insistence on its exclusive right to name bishops as a matter of national sovereignty, while the Vatican insisted on the Pope's exclusive right to name the successors of the original Apostles. The 2018 deal was aimed at uniting the flock, regularising the status of seven bishops who were not recognised by Rome, and thawing decades of estrangement between China and the Vatican.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pope prays for China's Catholics to be in communion with Rome
Pope Leo asked for prayers for China's Catholics to be in communion with the Holy See, as he made his first public remarks about one of the thorniest foreign policy issues facing his new pontificate. The Pope recalled that on Saturday the Catholic Church marked a special feast day to pray for the church in China. Pope Benedict XVI had initiated the feast day as part of his efforts to unify China's estimated 12 million Catholics who were divided between an official, state-controlled church that did not recognise papal authority, and an underground church that remained loyal to Rome through decades of persecution. Leo noted that on the feast day, 'in the churches and shrines in China and throughout the world, prayers have been raised to God as a sign of the solicitude and affection for Chinese Catholics and their communion with the universal church'. Speaking from his studio window during his noon blessing on Sunday, Leo prayed that Catholics in China and elsewhere 'obtain the grace to be strong and joyful witnesses of the Gospel, even in the midst of trials, to always promote peace and harmony'. Pope Francis took Benedict's unifying efforts further by approving a controversial deal in 2018 over bishop nominations. The details of the deal were never released, but it affords the state-controlled church a say in its church leaders, though Francis insisted he retained veto power over the ultimate choice. The deal has been criticised by some, especially on the Catholic right, for having caved to Beijing's demands and sold out the underground faithful in China. The Vatican has said it was the best deal it could get and it has been renewed periodically since then. Leo will have to decide whether to continue renewing the accord. There have been some apparent violations on the Beijing side with some unilateral appointments that occurred without papal consent. The issue came to a head just before the conclave that elected Leo as Pope, when the Chinese church proceeded with the preliminary election of two bishops, a step that comes before official consecration. Leo told the archbishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow, that he had 'visited China several times and got to know the Chinese culture and reality', according to the Fides missionary news agency, citing comments Cardinal Chow made in his diocesan weekly newsletter after the conclave. Cardinal Chow added that he expects Leo would follow Francis's direction for the church in China. He said he had given Leo a small statue of Our Lady of Sheshan, a statue of the Madonna that is particularly venerated by Chinese faithful and is celebrated on the feast day, May 24. Cardinal Chow, a Jesuit, said he had implored Leo 'to not forget the church in China and the Chinese people', according to the newsletter. 'He nodded his head to indicate that he will not forget,' according to Fides. The Vatican has been working for years to try to improve relations with China that were officially severed over seven decades ago when the Communists came to power. Relations had long been stymied over China's insistence on its exclusive right to name bishops as a matter of national sovereignty, while the Vatican insisted on the Pope's exclusive right to name the successors of the original Apostles. The 2018 deal was aimed at uniting the flock, regularising the status of seven bishops who were not recognised by Rome, and thawing decades of estrangement between China and the Vatican.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pope Leo's first words forecast a profound shift in the papacy
Pope Leo XIV is not just the first American pope, he's the first Augustinian one. The former Rev. Robert Prevost studied at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Friars. The order, which dates back to the 13th century, takes its inspiration from St. Augustine of Hippo, a rebel, a bishop and influential theologian. The Augustinian ethos includes a contemplative spirituality, communal living and service to others. The choice of the name 'Leo XIV' is a clear indication of the importance the pope will place on service to others. Pope Leo XIII — whose spirit the pope has invoked — left a legacy that centered on service to the poor, migrants, workers, families and community. So it is no surprise that in his first public moment, as Pope Leo offered his Urbi et Orbi Blessing (to the city of Rome and to the world) as he stood on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, his very first words, 'Peace be with you all,' reflected a subtle shift in the papacy. While this is a common greeting in the Catholic Church, his choice here contrasted with his two predecessors. Pope Francis began with the request to 'pray to the Lord that he will bless me,' while Pope Benedict noted that 'the cardinals have elected me, a simple, humble laborer in the vineyard of the Lord.' While humble, their words referred first to themselves. Leo's words immediately emphasized the importance of the crowd in front of him as well as the 1.4 billion Roman Catholics around the world. For this Augustinian pope, the moment was not about him but rather the people he would serve. A close reading of his inaugural Mass as pope today will show the same themes. That Augustinian charism is not unfamiliar to me. Long before I served as lieutenant governor of Maryland or chairman of the Republican National Committee, I was an Augustinian seminarian. I began my journey towards the Catholic priesthood at the Augustinian Friars Seminary at Villanova University, the pope's alma mater. I was drawn to the Augustinian order because the men who educated me at Archbishop John Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., prioritized direct engagement with the world, finding Christ in service to others. Augustinians teach, run parishes and serve as missionaries, and you will find them everywhere from Los Angeles to the Philly suburbs, connecting directly to the community around them. Although I left the order before being ordained, I carried with me into my public life as an elected official and party chairman what I learned about service to others. Politicians too often lose sight of that. As the Augustinians will tell you, you are the least important part of the work you do; rather how you serve others — whether you are a pope or a politician — is what matters. As Pope, Leo will likely engage the world through an Augustinian lens, encouraging spiritual depth over outward displays of power, as well as a profound commitment to social justice. Which is why this papacy will serve as a sharp contrast to the other powerful American on the world stage: President Donald Trump, who posted an AI-generated image of himself as the Vicar of Christ on social media, offending Catholics around the world. But this papacy will not be about the power struggles between the president and the pope. As his first words showed, his papacy will be about each and every one of us. I predict Leo will challenge the world — not just Trump or Vice President JD Vance, who was infamously rebuked by Pope Francis. As much as our polarized country will try to put the new pope in a political box — especially because he is an American — Leo will confound the petty partisan attempts to distract from his mission to extend the Peace of Christ to the world so that each one of us will see Christ in those we serve. For more thought-provoking insights from Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, watch 'The Weeknight' every Monday-Friday at 7 p.m. ET on MSNBC. This article was originally published on
RNZ News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
White smoke rises from Vatican as cardinals agree on Pope Francis' successor
This photograph shows white smoke rising from the chinmey of the Sistine Chapel signaling that cardinals elected a new pope during their conclave in the Vatican on 8 May, 2025. Photo: ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP White smoke has risen above the Sistine Chapel, the signal that cardinals have chosen a new pope on the second day of the conclave. His identity, and the name he will take as pontiff, will be revealed soon. Cardinals took two days to select a new pontiff, matching the timeline from the previous two gatherings and suggesting that a leading candidate quickly impressed his peers during the secretive process. Francis and Benedict XVI were both revealed in the evening of the conclave's second day, while John Paul II, the longest-reigning pope of modern times, was selected on the third day in 1978. This is a breaking story. More details soon… - CNN
