Lombardi Editorial: Chinese Best Wishes

(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi SJ, has released his weekly editorial in which he reflects the Pope’s greetings to China in his Urbi et Orbi Christmas Message. Please find Vatican Radio's English translation of the editorial, below.

Chinese Best Wishes

While in the Message for the recently-published World Day of Peace, the Pope examined themes of an anthropological and social nature, related to the underpinning of the building of peace, in the Message for Christmas Day he directly addressed ongoing conflicts, starting with the tragic situation in Syria, which has been bloodied by endless violence. But he also sent best wishes explicitly to the new leaders of the Chinese People’s Republic, in view of their “high task”. Perhaps this was unexpected, but it shows how realistically and consciously the Pope and Church observe the path of mankind. China has the largest population on earth – a fifth of all mankind – and it is taking on an ever-growing role in the world’s balance of power. The new leadership should not look at itself in the usual perspective of power, but in that of peace and solidarity, “the benefit of that noble People and of the whole world”. And also for that people religious freedom is a prerequisite “for the building of a fraternal society”, as the Pope never tires of reasserting. Religions must not be viewed with suspicion, as instruments of division or external interference, but as positive spiritual forces which are also willing to contribute to the common good. Rome has always looked to the Catholic community in China in this spirit, as has been reiterated constantly and clearly in the Pope’s messages addressed to them. Will the new year see progress? We hope so.
The King of Peace comes for all, populations large and small. If peace is sought, the small should not be afraid of the great. If not, it is natural to be afraid. The Pope’s greetings are expressed only in 65 languages, but we would like them to be announced in all the thousands of languages of the world, because we are one human family and we have one Father.

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