The Vatican has denied US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s request to meet with Pope Francis during his visit to Rome this week. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-endangers-its-moral-authority-pompeo-on-deal-with-china-331174">Also read | 'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China</a> 
 
The Vatican accused Pompeo of trying to use that issue to attract voters in November`s US presidential election.

“Yes, he asked. But the pope had already said clearly that political figures are not received in election periods. That is the reason,” Vatican diplomat Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said, according to Reuters Wednesday. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/vatican-endangers-its-moral-authority-pompeo-on-deal-with-china-331174" hreflang="en">'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China</a>

Earlier this week, during a visit to Rome, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China.

Pompeo, who was in Rome on Wednesday and due to meet Vatican officials on Thursday, repeated his denunciations of China`s record on religious freedom at an event hosted by the U.S. embassy to the Holy See.

The Vatican's two top diplomats, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher, said Francis had declined a request from Pompeo for an audience, as the pope avoids meeting politicians ahead of elections.

The Vatican`s two-year-old agreement with Beijing gives the pope some say over the appointment of Chinese bishops. It was due to expire next month, but is expected to be renewed.

Officials in the Holy See say the agreement is not perfect but call it a step forward, after decades during which Chinese Catholics who recognise the pope were driven underground.

Parolin and Gallagher both described Pompeo's public criticism as a "surprise", coming just before his planned visit.

"Normally when you`re preparing these visits between high-level officials, you negotiate the agenda for what you are going to talk about privately, confidentially. It`s one of the rules of diplomacy," Gallagher said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Vatican has denied US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s request to meet with Pope Francis during his visit to Rome this week. Also read | 'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China The Vatican accused Pompeo of trying to use that issue to attract voters in November`s US presidential election.

The Vatican has denied US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s request to meet with Pope Francis during his visit to Rome this week. Also read | 'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China The Vatican accused Pompeo of trying to use that issue to attract voters in November`s US presidential election. “Yes, he asked. But the pope had already said clearly that political figures are not received in election periods. That is the reason,” Vatican diplomat Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said, according to Reuters Wednesday. Also read: 'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China Earlier this week, during a visit to Rome, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China. Pompeo, who was in Rome on Wednesday and due to meet Vatican officials on Thursday, repeated his denunciations of China`s record on religious freedom at an event hosted by the U.S. embassy to the Holy See. The Vatican's two top diplomats, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher, said Francis had declined a request from Pompeo for an audience, as the pope avoids meeting politicians ahead of elections. The Vatican`s two-year-old agreement with Beijing gives the pope some say over the appointment of Chinese bishops. It was due to expire next month, but is expected to be renewed. Officials in the Holy See say the agreement is not perfect but call it a step forward, after decades during which Chinese Catholics who recognise the pope were driven underground. Parolin and Gallagher both described Pompeo's public criticism as a "surprise", coming just before his planned visit. "Normally when you`re preparing these visits between high-level officials, you negotiate the agenda for what you are going to talk about privately, confidentially. It`s one of the rules of diplomacy," Gallagher said. (With inputs from agencies)

Vatican accuses Pompeo of playing politics, Pope Francies refuses to meet him

During a visit to Rome, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China.

Pompeo is currently in Rome which is being seen by many as part of the campaigning for the upcoming US elections, and a bid to capture Catholic votes.

Pope Francis is not meeting Pompeo because the pontiff does not meet political leaders during periods of election campaigning, a source from the Vatican told AFP.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/pompeo-in-tense-visit-to-vatican-as-us-vote-nears-331352" hreflang="en">Pompeo in tense visit to Vatican as US vote nears</a>

Many believe that the Pope is displeased with Pompeo’s calls to scrap a historic Vatican-China accord. Today, Pompeo spoke at a symposium which was overseen by the US embassy. He reiterated his wish for the Vatican to stand firm against China, a recurring theme in Donald Trump’s re-election campaign.

"Nowhere is religious freedom under assault more than in China,” Pompeo said. "I call on every faith leader to find the courage to confront religious persecution," he added.

Pompeo also said that for the Catholic Church "earthly considerations shouldn't discourage principled stances". A Sino-Vatican agreement in 2018 is set to be renewed. Pompeo had said that the deal is a risk to the church’s “moral authority” due to China’s human rights record.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/vatican-endangers-its-moral-authority-pompeo-on-deal-with-china-331174" hreflang="en">'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China</a>

After highlighting that "the Holy See reached an agreement with the Chinese Communist Party, hoping to help China's Catholics", US secretary of state Mike Pompeo insisted in an article that the "human rights situation in China has deteriorated severely under the autocratic rule of Xi Jinping, especially for religious believers."

"It’s clear that the Sino-Vatican agreement has not shielded Catholics from the Party’s depredations, to say nothing of the Party’s horrific treatment of Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong devotees, and other religious believers," the US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in an article on First Things First.

According to the Reuters news agency, Pope Francis has signed off on the two-year extension of the original pact that took effect in 2018, with the Chinese foreign ministry stating that &nbsp;"the two sides will continue to maintain close communication and consultation and improve bilateral relations."&nbsp;

During a visit to Rome, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China. Pompeo is currently in Rome which is being seen by many as part of the campaigning for the upcoming US elections, and a bid to capture Catholic votes.

During a visit to Rome, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said that the Vatican must find the “courage” to confront China. Pompeo is currently in Rome which is being seen by many as part of the campaigning for the upcoming US elections, and a bid to capture Catholic votes. Pope Francis is not meeting Pompeo because the pontiff does not meet political leaders during periods of election campaigning, a source from the Vatican told AFP. Also read: Pompeo in tense visit to Vatican as US vote nears Many believe that the Pope is displeased with Pompeo’s calls to scrap a historic Vatican-China accord. Today, Pompeo spoke at a symposium which was overseen by the US embassy. He reiterated his wish for the Vatican to stand firm against China, a recurring theme in Donald Trump’s re-election campaign. "Nowhere is religious freedom under assault more than in China,” Pompeo said. "I call on every faith leader to find the courage to confront religious persecution," he added. Pompeo also said that for the Catholic Church "earthly considerations shouldn't discourage principled stances". A Sino-Vatican agreement in 2018 is set to be renewed. Pompeo had said that the deal is a risk to the church’s “moral authority” due to China’s human rights record. Also read: 'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China After highlighting that "the Holy See reached an agreement with the Chinese Communist Party, hoping to help China's Catholics", US secretary of state Mike Pompeo insisted in an article that the "human rights situation in China has deteriorated severely under the autocratic rule of Xi Jinping, especially for religious believers." "It’s clear that the Sino-Vatican agreement has not shielded Catholics from the Party’s depredations, to say nothing of the Party’s horrific treatment of Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong devotees, and other religious believers," the US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in an article on First Things First. According to the Reuters news agency, Pope Francis has signed off on the two-year extension of the original pact that took effect in 2018, with the Chinese foreign ministry stating that "the two sides will continue to maintain close communication and consultation and improve bilateral relations."

Vatican must show 'courage' against China, suggests US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

Beijing hit back Tuesday at the US branding of Chinese pursuits in the South China Sea as illegal, saying the accusation was "unjustified' and a bid to sabotage regional peace.

"We advise the US side to earnestly honor its commitment of not taking sides on the issue of territorial sovereignty, respect regional countries’ efforts for a peaceful and stable South China Sea and stop its attempts to disrupt and sabotage regional peace and stability," the Chinese embassy in Washington said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-warship-again-challenges-beijings-south-china-sea-claims-301746">US Navy warship again challenges Beijing's South China Sea claims</a>

Earlier,&nbsp;US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that ''China has offered no coherent legal basis for its ambitions in the South China Sea and for years has been using intimidation against other Southeast Asian coastal states.''

"We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them," said Pompeo, a prominent China hawk within the Trump administration.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-military-exercises-in-south-china-sea-will-further-destabilise-the-situation-pentagon-310335">China military exercises in South China Sea will 'further destabilise' the situation: Pentagon</a>

The US&nbsp;has long opposed China's expansive territorial claims on the South China Sea, sending warships regularly through the strategic waterway to demonstrate freedom of navigation there. Monday's comments reflect a harsher tone.

"The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire," Pompeo said.

The relationship between the United States and China has grown increasingly tense over the past six months over Beijing's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, its tightened grip on Hong Kong and its crackdown on China's Uighur Muslim community.

China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of it, through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year. Beijing has built bases atop atolls in the region but says its intentions are peaceful.

Beijing routinely outlines the scope of its claims with reference to the so-called nine-dashed line that encompasses about nine-tenths of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Sea on Chinese maps.

"This is basically the first time we have called it illegitimate," said Chris Johnson, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It's "fine to put out a statement, but what you going to do about it?"

Beijing hit back Tuesday at the US branding of Chinese pursuits in the South China Sea as illegal, saying the accusation was "unjustified' and a bid to sabotage regional peace.

Beijing hit back Tuesday at the US branding of Chinese pursuits in the South China Sea as illegal, saying the accusation was "unjustified' and a bid to sabotage regional peace. "We advise the US side to earnestly honor its commitment of not taking sides on the issue of territorial sovereignty, respect regional countries’ efforts for a peaceful and stable South China Sea and stop its attempts to disrupt and sabotage regional peace and stability," the Chinese embassy in Washington said in a statement. Also read: US Navy warship again challenges Beijing's South China Sea claims Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that ''China has offered no coherent legal basis for its ambitions in the South China Sea and for years has been using intimidation against other Southeast Asian coastal states.'' "We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them," said Pompeo, a prominent China hawk within the Trump administration. Also read| China military exercises in South China Sea will 'further destabilise' the situation: Pentagon The US has long opposed China's expansive territorial claims on the South China Sea, sending warships regularly through the strategic waterway to demonstrate freedom of navigation there. Monday's comments reflect a harsher tone. "The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire," Pompeo said. The relationship between the United States and China has grown increasingly tense over the past six months over Beijing's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, its tightened grip on Hong Kong and its crackdown on China's Uighur Muslim community. China claims 90% of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also lay claim to parts of it, through which about $3 trillion of trade passes each year. Beijing has built bases atop atolls in the region but says its intentions are peaceful. Beijing routinely outlines the scope of its claims with reference to the so-called nine-dashed line that encompasses about nine-tenths of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer South China Sea on Chinese maps. "This is basically the first time we have called it illegitimate," said Chris Johnson, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It's "fine to put out a statement, but what you going to do about it?"

China says Pompeo's South China Sea illegal claim 'unjustified'

US slamming Bejing said the country is using COVID-19 distraction to further its hold in the South China Sea. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said, "Even as we fight the outbreak, we must remember that the long-term threats to our shared security have not disappeared. In fact, they’ve become more prominent."

US slams China's aggression in South China sea