Vatican: A pope Trip to China is Premature

(August 22, 2008) The Vatican said Thursday that it is premature to speak of a visit by Pope Benedict XVI to China, after a Chinese bishop had expressed hope for such a trip amid improved relations. But Vatican spokesman the Jesuit Priest Federico Lombardi also said the Holy See wants to keep up talks with Beijing. «Various important problems remain to be solved, but on the part of the Holy See there is the intention and the will to press ahead with loyal and constructive dialogue,» Lombardi told Vatican Radio. Earlier this week, Beijing Bishop Joseph Li Shan, who was appointed by China's state-controlled Catholic Church, said that «relations with the Vatican are constantly improving». He expressed hope that Pope Benedict XVI would travel to China. «For the time being, to speak of a pope trip to China is absolutely premature,» said Father Lombardi. But he praised the bishop's comment as encouraging. It shows that all Chinese Catholics love and respect the Pope recognize his authority, which is very positive and encouraging fact, » Father Lombardi said. The pontiff is keen on mending relations with Beijing. China's Communist Party cut ties with the Vatican in 1951, and the two sides have not restored formal relations. Pope Benedict sent a special letter to Catholics in China last year, praising the underground church and on the eve of the Beijing Olympics, the pope sent greetings to the Chinese people. Beijing and the Vatican differ about who should appoint bishops. Beijing sees the Vatican tradition of the pope naming his own bishops as interference in the country.