NYT
Beijing cautions new pope on meddling in China
Hua Chunying, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said that Beijing hopes the pope, who was elected on Wednesday, will work with Chinese officials on improving relations. But, she said, the Vatican “must stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, including in the name of religion.”
She also said the Vatican must sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan before ties with Beijing improve. China considers Taiwan a renegade province that is part of its territory.
The Vatican, however, has resisted cutting ties to Taiwan and wants China to give assurances on granting religious freedom to China’s Catholics.
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Did the new Pope say anything about who owns the Senkaku Islands?
Flange on March 14, 2013 at 9:49 PM
Meanwhile China “elects” a new dictator.
tom daschle concerned on March 14, 2013 at 9:51 PM
Better plan: Vatican cuts all ties with China, citing their deplorable human rights abuses and the fact that they are responsible for more martyrs than Rome. It’s amazing how few people realize that China is STILL persecuting Christians who share their faith (and even those who don’t in many rural areas.)
FlareCorran on March 14, 2013 at 9:53 PM
Chinese tyrants just lookin’ to make another friend.
Bishop on March 14, 2013 at 9:55 PM
Tat for tat from China?
Seriously, just say the pope were inclined to overlook his responsibility to advance every Catholic’s right to worship for worldly matters, as popes did once upon a time. What exactly is in it for the Vatican for agreeing to these demands?
I guess you can’t blame them for testing every new guy to check for another Clinton.
HitNRun on March 14, 2013 at 9:55 PM
New pope crabs his package in response.
CurtZHP on March 14, 2013 at 10:01 PM
crabs = grabs. That was awkward.
CurtZHP on March 14, 2013 at 10:01 PM
They’re on drugs if they think they can buffalo him.
Ward Cleaver on March 14, 2013 at 10:06 PM
The Pope has crabs?
Well…uh…let’s hope he got them from a toilet seat.
Bishop on March 14, 2013 at 10:07 PM
“Neither I nor anyone else who follows Christ is obliged to heed any order from the mouth of Godless heathens who, among many other abominations, kidnap women and force them to have abortions when they have dared to have more than the one child allowed them by the monsters you call leaders. Repent before the spirits of the Chinese Christians you martyred for their faith are pouring gasoline on you while you burn eternally in hell.”
(and this is why I’m not the pope. |-p)
MelonCollie on March 14, 2013 at 11:00 PM
I’d bet that the Church will still be around long after the Chicoms are gone. Why should they listen to any of their advice?
trigon on March 15, 2013 at 12:42 AM
I needed that good laugh.
Oil Can on March 15, 2013 at 12:55 AM