‘Manuscript diplomacy’ under way with China

ThE HOLY SEE and China have taken a significant step towards reconciliation, after the communist state offered to host an exhibition of ancient Chinese Vatican manuscripts originating from the last dynasty (1644-1912).

Vatican librarian Mgr Jean-Louis Bruguès said the Vatican library had 1,200 Qing dynasty manuscripts. The Pope recently declined to meet the Dalai Lama while the Tibetan was in Rome.