Pope pays tribute to Italian Jesuit missionary to China, Fr. Matteo Ricci

(May 29, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday paid tribute to the pioneering Italian Jesuit missionary to China, Father Matteo Ricci, saying he judiciously blended the preaching of the Gospel with dialogue among cultures. Pope Benedict was addressing a group of some 8000 faithful from Fr. Ricci’s diocese of Macerata, who came to Rome on the occasion of the 400th death anniversary of the missionary this year. Fr. Ricci died in Shanghai, China, on May 11, 1610, and his tomb there is greatly venerated by the Chinese. The Pope said, “The history of Catholic missions includes stalwarts known for their zeal and courage to bring Christ to new and distant lands, but Fr. Ricci is the singular case of a happy synthesis between preaching the Gospel and dialogue with the culture of the people to whom the good news is carried – an example of equilibrium between doctrinal clarity and prudent pastoral action.” Pope Benedict noted that the deep knowledge of the Chinese language, the adoption of their life style and refined customs, the fruit of study and patient and far-sighted practice, made the Chinese accept Fr. Ricci with respect and esteem, not any more as a foreigner, but as the ‘Master of the Great East’. “In Beijing’s Millennium Museum,” the Pope noted, “only two foreigners are remembered among the greats of Chinese history: Marco Polo and Fr. Matteo Ricci.” Pope Benedict drew attention to two inseparable facets of Fr. Ricci’s missionary exploits – the inculturation of the Gospel message into the Chinese culture and the presentation of western science and culture to China. The Holy Father expressed his profound respect to Chinese people and its ancient culture, convinced that their renewed encounter with Christianity will bring abundant good fruits and will favour peaceful coexistence among peoples.