For the first time in its history, the People’s Republic of China has signed an agreement that recognises the Pope as the Holy Father, shepherd and head of the Catholic Church. In the past, the PRC merely acknowledged the Pope as head of the Vatican State.

The agreement signed in Beijing on 22 September by the Vice Foreign Ministers of both China and the Vatican is solely pastoral. It leaves matters of politics and diplomatic recognition to one side. From now on, when the Pope appoints a bishop in China, it will no longer be seen as intervening in China’s internal affairs. Moreover, for the first time in 60 years, all of China’s bishops are now in communion with the Pope: the existence of “illegitimate bishops” in China – validly but illicitly ordained – had been a major headache for the Church.