Chinese Catholics mourn Pope Francis mull over Church s future

BAODING - In a small church tucked into a side street in northern China’s Hebei province, a group of around 10 people gathered for their weekly meeting, the day after Pope Francis died, aged 88.

The Vatican on April 21 announced the death of the Argentine pontiff, who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during his 12-year tenure.

In 1951, newly communist China severed ties with the Holy See, forcing Catholics to choose between membership in the state-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association or non-sanctioned churches loyal to the pope.

But under Pope Francis, China and the Vatican signed a 2018 agreement allowing both Beijing and the Holy See a say in appointing bishops in an attempt to close the schism in China’s 12-million-strong Catholic community.

On April 22, grieving worshippers sang and prayed together in the small Hebei sanctuary where portraits of biblical figures adorned the walls and a hanging sculpture of Jesus on the cross faced a dozen rows of pews.

A transparent glass bookshelf displaying Chinese Communist Party texts and writings of President Xi Jinping stood adjacent to a depiction of the Last Supper.

The pope’s death felt “just like the pain of losing a loved one”, said one church member, who asked to be identified as Ms Chenxing.

“He taught us... to have love for one another,” the 53-year-old said, adding that Pope Francis had always hoped for peace, and prayed especially for places still at war.

Others who gathered said they were “shocked” to hear of his death because it “seemed so sudden” – especially after he had made an appearance at the Vatican the previous day, Easter Sunday.

Future of agreement

The Vatican and China do not have formal diplomatic relations, as the city-state recognises Taiwan while Beijing claims the self-ruled island as its own territory.