A landmark deal between China's leaders and the Vatican over the appointment of bishops has been struck without Beijing taking action on long-held Church concerns over clerics in detention, Catholic Church sources familiar with the matter say.

The agreement, which gives the Vatican a long-desired say in the appointment of bishops in China, was signed last Saturday, but details have not been made public.

Three sources aware of the substance of the provisional deal say the plight of a dozen or so detained priests and bishops, some elderly, remains unresolved and will be subject to on-going Vatican efforts. Beijing has provided little clear information about their fate despite repeated Vatican requests in recent years, the sources said.

A senior Vatican source said the precise number still believed to be in detention was not clear.

Some of those held are feared to have died in detention, according to Catholic priests and activists who monitor the situation on the mainland.

Neither China's Foreign Ministry, which has been leading the talks with the Vatican, nor the Ministry of Public Security immediately responded to requests for comment.

A Vatican spokesman said he had no immediate comment.

The Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese issued a statement in June protesting the renewed detention of Bishop Cui Tai from Hebei province in April, urging the release of all "unreasonably and illegally detained clergy".

They also highlighted the detention of Baoding Bishop James Su Zhimin. Now 86, Su has been held since his arrest in October, 1997 but no details of his whereabouts or condition are known.

"The reality is this deal is a small step, a very small step...there is much hard work ahead on unresolved issues," said one cleric familiar with the pact.

Hong Kong priests say a total figure of clerics under detention or house arrest in China is hard to pin down given official opacity. Beyond long-term detentions, some are held briefly by local authorities.

China's approximately 12 million Catholics have been split between an underground church loyal to the pope and the state-supervised Catholic Patriotic Association.

While some critics have slammed this month's agreement as a betrayal that could finally crush the underground Church, Vatican officials said failure to strike the deal could have led to a fatal schism between Chinese Catholics.

"There are many other points and concrete matters that pertain to the life of the Church that can now be put forward," said Father Federico Lombardi, a former papal spokesman who followed the negotiations closely.

"The fact that a positive result has been achieved leaves hope that others can follow, that there can be development," he told Italy's Catholic SIR news agency.

ROLE OF BISHOPS

Another issue still to be finalised, according to the same three Catholic sources, is the future roles and responsibilities of some of the seven bishops ordained by Beijing's state-backed church without Vatican approval but legitimised by Pope Francis to clear the way for the deal.

Two of the seven had faced earlier Vatican investigations into allegations they had wives or girlfriends, according to Catholic sources - contravening the vow of celibacy taken by Catholic priests.

They are expected to take up administrative or symbolic roles, keeping the title of bishop without carrying out full responsibilities, including the ordination of priests, the sources said. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the personal status of these two bishops.

Under the deal, the government will no longer appoint bishops without the approval of the Vatican, which will be given candidates chosen by Catholic communities and Chinese authorities.

But uncertainty is already mounting among some Chinese faithful over how their underground body will integrate with the government-linked Church.

Father Bernardo Cervellera, editor of Rome-based Catholic news agency AsiaNews, said that underground bishops were still restricted. They can say Mass but not move around their dioceses as freely as they wanted.

Missionary priests in contact with underground counterparts in recent days say the pressure on them has intensified in recent months.

"I think of the endurance of the Catholics who suffered. It is true that they will suffer. There is always suffering in an accord, but they have great faith," Pope Francis said on Tuesday. He has repeatedly defended the deal, which he said would give him, and not Beijing, the final say.

RESERVATIONS IN HONG KONG

The Bishop of Hong Kong - for decades a vital Catholic beachhead on the edge of officially atheist China - on Saturday expressed his reservations over the pact, saying time and more details were needed before it could be fully judged, or even called an agreement.

Quoted in this weekend's edition of the Sunday Examiner, the city's Catholic newspaper, Bishop Michael Yeung referenced lyrics from the 1970s Swedish pop group ABBA: "The winner takes it all, the loser's standing small."

"Catholics in China are neither radicals nor revolutionaries, instead they are really poor people," he was quoted as saying. "It is unfortunate that the Communist government targets the Catholic Church more than any other religious group in China."

Bishop Yeung, who told the paper he was not yet aware of the content of the accord, did not respond to Reuters' questions.

A Hong Kong-based Vatican envoy was also quoted in the Examiner saying that the deal was of "great importance", but more negotiations were needed to ensure more freedom and autonomy for the Church.

"I hope the agreement may also bring more trust between the two parties and will inspire other solutions for the benefit of our Catholic Church in China," said Monsignor Ante Jozic, one of only two semi-official Vatican representatives in greater China under Communist Party control.

Jozic confirmed his remarks to Reuters, but said he could not comment further.

Hong Kong is one of the most important Catholic cities in Asia, home to an extensive network of aid agencies, missions, scholars and media that have supported Catholics in China and elsewhere.

While the Vatican instituted similar accords with Communist authorities in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, the situation in China differs because Beijing created a rival brand of Catholicism through the Patriotic Association.

A landmark deal between China's leaders and the Vatican over the appointment of bishops has been struck without Beijing taking action on long-held Church concerns over clerics in detention, Catholic Church sources familiar with the matter say.

A landmark deal between China's leaders and the Vatican over the appointment of bishops has been struck without Beijing taking action on long-held Church concerns over clerics in detention, Catholic Church sources familiar with the matter say. The agreement, which gives the Vatican a long-desired say in the appointment of bishops in China, was signed last Saturday, but details have not been made public. Three sources aware of the substance of the provisional deal say the plight of a dozen or so detained priests and bishops, some elderly, remains unresolved and will be subject to on-going Vatican efforts. Beijing has provided little clear information about their fate despite repeated Vatican requests in recent years, the sources said. A senior Vatican source said the precise number still believed to be in detention was not clear. Some of those held are feared to have died in detention, according to Catholic priests and activists who monitor the situation on the mainland. Neither China's Foreign Ministry, which has been leading the talks with the Vatican, nor the Ministry of Public Security immediately responded to requests for comment. A Vatican spokesman said he had no immediate comment. The Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese issued a statement in June protesting the renewed detention of Bishop Cui Tai from Hebei province in April, urging the release of all "unreasonably and illegally detained clergy". They also highlighted the detention of Baoding Bishop James Su Zhimin. Now 86, Su has been held since his arrest in October, 1997 but no details of his whereabouts or condition are known. "The reality is this deal is a small step, a very small step...there is much hard work ahead on unresolved issues," said one cleric familiar with the pact. Hong Kong priests say a total figure of clerics under detention or house arrest in China is hard to pin down given official opacity. Beyond long-term detentions, some are held briefly by local authorities. China's approximately 12 million Catholics have been split between an underground church loyal to the pope and the state-supervised Catholic Patriotic Association. While some critics have slammed this month's agreement as a betrayal that could finally crush the underground Church, Vatican officials said failure to strike the deal could have led to a fatal schism between Chinese Catholics. "There are many other points and concrete matters that pertain to the life of the Church that can now be put forward," said Father Federico Lombardi, a former papal spokesman who followed the negotiations closely. "The fact that a positive result has been achieved leaves hope that others can follow, that there can be development," he told Italy's Catholic SIR news agency. ROLE OF BISHOPS Another issue still to be finalised, according to the same three Catholic sources, is the future roles and responsibilities of some of the seven bishops ordained by Beijing's state-backed church without Vatican approval but legitimised by Pope Francis to clear the way for the deal. Two of the seven had faced earlier Vatican investigations into allegations they had wives or girlfriends, according to Catholic sources - contravening the vow of celibacy taken by Catholic priests. They are expected to take up administrative or symbolic roles, keeping the title of bishop without carrying out full responsibilities, including the ordination of priests, the sources said. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the personal status of these two bishops. Under the deal, the government will no longer appoint bishops without the approval of the Vatican, which will be given candidates chosen by Catholic communities and Chinese authorities. But uncertainty is already mounting among some Chinese faithful over how their underground body will integrate with the government-linked Church. Father Bernardo Cervellera, editor of Rome-based Catholic news agency AsiaNews, said that underground bishops were still restricted. They can say Mass but not move around their dioceses as freely as they wanted. Missionary priests in contact with underground counterparts in recent days say the pressure on them has intensified in recent months. "I think of the endurance of the Catholics who suffered. It is true that they will suffer. There is always suffering in an accord, but they have great faith," Pope Francis said on Tuesday. He has repeatedly defended the deal, which he said would give him, and not Beijing, the final say. RESERVATIONS IN HONG KONG The Bishop of Hong Kong - for decades a vital Catholic beachhead on the edge of officially atheist China - on Saturday expressed his reservations over the pact, saying time and more details were needed before it could be fully judged, or even called an agreement. Quoted in this weekend's edition of the Sunday Examiner, the city's Catholic newspaper, Bishop Michael Yeung referenced lyrics from the 1970s Swedish pop group ABBA: "The winner takes it all, the loser's standing small." "Catholics in China are neither radicals nor revolutionaries, instead they are really poor people," he was quoted as saying. "It is unfortunate that the Communist government targets the Catholic Church more than any other religious group in China." Bishop Yeung, who told the paper he was not yet aware of the content of the accord, did not respond to Reuters' questions. A Hong Kong-based Vatican envoy was also quoted in the Examiner saying that the deal was of "great importance", but more negotiations were needed to ensure more freedom and autonomy for the Church. "I hope the agreement may also bring more trust between the two parties and will inspire other solutions for the benefit of our Catholic Church in China," said Monsignor Ante Jozic, one of only two semi-official Vatican representatives in greater China under Communist Party control. Jozic confirmed his remarks to Reuters, but said he could not comment further. Hong Kong is one of the most important Catholic cities in Asia, home to an extensive network of aid agencies, missions, scholars and media that have supported Catholics in China and elsewhere. While the Vatican instituted similar accords with Communist authorities in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union during the Cold War, the situation in China differs because Beijing created a rival brand of Catholicism through the Patriotic Association.

Vatican deal with Beijing leaves some key questions unresolved

Pope Francis said today that he<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/in-sicily-pope-slams-blasphemous-mafia-165819"> and not China will have final say </a>in the appointment of bishops after the Vatican and China struck a historic deal last week ending decades of conflict.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-begs-for-gods-forgiveness-for-sexual-abuse-scandal-161672">Read:&nbsp;Pope Francis 'begs for God's forgiveness' for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-begs-for-gods-forgiveness-for-sexual-abuse-scandal-161672">sexual</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-begs-for-gods-forgiveness-for-sexual-abuse-scandal-161672"> abuse scandal</a>

Francis, however, conceded "Catholics will suffer" but added that in a "peace accord or negotiation both sides lose something".

"I think of the endurance of the Catholics who suffered. It is true that they will suffer. There is always suffering in an accord, but they have great faith," the Pope said.

According to the deal, new bishops first will be proposed by members of local Catholic communities together with Chinese authorities and the names of candidates will be sent to the Vatican.

"It's not (that the government) names them. It is a dialogue. But Rome will appoint them. Let that be clear," he said of the deal, which was more than 10 years in the making, the Pope said, adding,"This was no improvisation. It is a journey, a real journey."

"My thoughts are with the resistance, the Catholics who have suffered, it's true," the Pope said.

There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China split between the underground church and serving state-led Catholic Patriotic Association.

A Vatican statement had said the agreement was "not political but pastoral." The pact effectively means the Chinese government recognises the Pope as leader of all Catholics in China.

In the deal, Pope Francis posthumously recognised seven clergies appointed by China who "had expressed the desire to be reconciled with the Apostolic See". The Vatican had cut ties with&nbsp;China in 1951, two years after the Communist party came to power.

The Catholic Church is among 17 countries that recognise Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province. Beijing has however not made any precondition to derecognise Taiwan in the pact with the Vatican, according to reports.

Pope Francis said today that he and not China will have final say in the appointment of bishops after the Vatican and China struck a historic deal last week ending decades of conflict.

Pope Francis said today that he and not China will have final say in the appointment of bishops after the Vatican and China struck a historic deal last week ending decades of conflict. Read: Pope Francis 'begs for God's forgiveness' for sexual abuse scandal Francis, however, conceded "Catholics will suffer" but added that in a "peace accord or negotiation both sides lose something". "I think of the endurance of the Catholics who suffered. It is true that they will suffer. There is always suffering in an accord, but they have great faith," the Pope said. According to the deal, new bishops first will be proposed by members of local Catholic communities together with Chinese authorities and the names of candidates will be sent to the Vatican. "It's not (that the government) names them. It is a dialogue. But Rome will appoint them. Let that be clear," he said of the deal, which was more than 10 years in the making, the Pope said, adding,"This was no improvisation. It is a journey, a real journey." "My thoughts are with the resistance, the Catholics who have suffered, it's true," the Pope said. There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China split between the underground church and serving state-led Catholic Patriotic Association. A Vatican statement had said the agreement was "not political but pastoral." The pact effectively means the Chinese government recognises the Pope as leader of all Catholics in China. In the deal, Pope Francis posthumously recognised seven clergies appointed by China who "had expressed the desire to be reconciled with the Apostolic See". The Vatican had cut ties with China in 1951, two years after the Communist party came to power. The Catholic Church is among 17 countries that recognise Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province. Beijing has however not made any precondition to derecognise Taiwan in the pact with the Vatican, according to reports.

Rome will appoint bishops in China, let it be clear: Pope Francis

Pope Francis has asked all the Chinese Catholics to&nbsp;reconcile while accepting that a historic deal with Beijing on nominating bishops may have caused "confusion"

In a written message to Roman Catholics in China on Wednesday, the Pope said, "I now invite all Chinese Catholics to work towards reconciliation".

"Some feel doubt and perplexity, while others sense themselves somehow abandoned by the Holy See".

"I am aware that this flurry of thoughts and opinions may have caused a certain confusion and prompted different reactions in the hearts of many", he added.

Pope Francis had said earlier during the day that he&nbsp;and not China will have final say&nbsp;in the appointment of bishops after the Vatican and China struck a historic deal last week ending decades of conflict.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-begs-for-gods-forgiveness-for-sexual-abuse-scandal-161672">Read:&nbsp;Pope Francis 'begs for God's forgiveness' for&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-begs-for-gods-forgiveness-for-sexual-abuse-scandal-161672">sexual</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-begs-for-gods-forgiveness-for-sexual-abuse-scandal-161672">&nbsp;abuse scandal</a>

Francis, however, conceded "Catholics will suffer" but added that in a "peace accord or negotiation both sides lose something".

"I think of the endurance of the Catholics who suffered. It is true that they will suffer. There is always suffering in an accord, but they have great faith," the Pope said.

Saturday's historic deal has paved the way for rapprochement between the Vatican and the Communist country, despite the fears of some in the persecuted underground Church.

According to the deal, new bishops first will be proposed by members of local Catholic communities together with Chinese authorities and the names of candidates will be sent to the Vatican.

There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China split between the underground church and serving state-led Catholic Patriotic Association.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis has asked all the Chinese Catholics to reconcile while accepting that a historic deal with Beijing on nominating bishops may have caused "confusion" In a written message to Roman Catholics in China on Wednesday, the Pope said, "I now invite all Chinese Catholics to work towards reconciliation".

Pope Francis has asked all the Chinese Catholics to reconcile while accepting that a historic deal with Beijing on nominating bishops may have caused "confusion" In a written message to Roman Catholics in China on Wednesday, the Pope said, "I now invite all Chinese Catholics to work towards reconciliation". "Some feel doubt and perplexity, while others sense themselves somehow abandoned by the Holy See". "I am aware that this flurry of thoughts and opinions may have caused a certain confusion and prompted different reactions in the hearts of many", he added. Pope Francis had said earlier during the day that he and not China will have final say in the appointment of bishops after the Vatican and China struck a historic deal last week ending decades of conflict. Read: Pope Francis 'begs for God's forgiveness' for sexual abuse scandal Francis, however, conceded "Catholics will suffer" but added that in a "peace accord or negotiation both sides lose something". "I think of the endurance of the Catholics who suffered. It is true that they will suffer. There is always suffering in an accord, but they have great faith," the Pope said. Saturday's historic deal has paved the way for rapprochement between the Vatican and the Communist country, despite the fears of some in the persecuted underground Church. According to the deal, new bishops first will be proposed by members of local Catholic communities together with Chinese authorities and the names of candidates will be sent to the Vatican. There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China split between the underground church and serving state-led Catholic Patriotic Association. (With inputs from agencies)

Pope calls on divided Chinese Catholics to reconcile

The Vatican announced Saturday it had reached an historic accord with China on the appointment of bishops in the Communist country which has so far named its own officials to a sole Beijing-recognised Catholic church.

The agreement follows "a gradual and reciprocal rapprochement (and) has been agreed following a long process of careful negotiation and foresees the possibility of periodic reviews of its application," the Vatican said in a statement issued as Pope Francis visits the Baltic states.

"It concerns the nomination of Bishops, a question of great importance for the life of the Church, and creates the conditions for greater collaboration at the bilateral level," it added.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke played down any suggestion that the accord could have wider political implications, even though it marks a breakthrough on an issue which has bedevilled relations with China for years.

The agreement "is not political but pastoral, allowing the faithful to have bishops who are in communion with Rome but at the same time recognised by Chinese authorities," he said in Vilnius.

The announcement had been expected amid speculation that it could lead to a normalisation of ties between the Vatican and Beijing, possibly at the expense of Taiwan.

The Vatican is one of only 17 countries around the world that recognises Taipei instead of Beijing but Pope Francis has sought to improve ties with China since he took office in 2013.&nbsp;

Hong Kong's Catholic press reported earlier this month that a new round of Sino-Vatican negotiations was expected to be held in September and a deal could be signed in October.&nbsp;

There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China, divided between a government-run association whose clergy are chosen by the Communist Party, and an unofficial church which swears allegiance to the Vatican.

The Vatican has not had diplomatic relations with Beijing since 1951, two years after the founding of the communist People's Republic.&nbsp;

Previous attempts to restore ties have floundered over Beijing's insistence that the Vatican must give up recognition of its rival Taiwan and promise not to interfere in religious issues in China.

The Vatican announced Saturday it had reached an historic accord with China on the appointment of bishops in the Communist country which has so far named its own officials to a sole Beijing-recognised Catholic church.

The Vatican announced Saturday it had reached an historic accord with China on the appointment of bishops in the Communist country which has so far named its own officials to a sole Beijing-recognised Catholic church. The agreement follows "a gradual and reciprocal rapprochement (and) has been agreed following a long process of careful negotiation and foresees the possibility of periodic reviews of its application," the Vatican said in a statement issued as Pope Francis visits the Baltic states. "It concerns the nomination of Bishops, a question of great importance for the life of the Church, and creates the conditions for greater collaboration at the bilateral level," it added. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke played down any suggestion that the accord could have wider political implications, even though it marks a breakthrough on an issue which has bedevilled relations with China for years. The agreement "is not political but pastoral, allowing the faithful to have bishops who are in communion with Rome but at the same time recognised by Chinese authorities," he said in Vilnius. The announcement had been expected amid speculation that it could lead to a normalisation of ties between the Vatican and Beijing, possibly at the expense of Taiwan. The Vatican is one of only 17 countries around the world that recognises Taipei instead of Beijing but Pope Francis has sought to improve ties with China since he took office in 2013. Hong Kong's Catholic press reported earlier this month that a new round of Sino-Vatican negotiations was expected to be held in September and a deal could be signed in October. There are an estimated 12 million Catholics in China, divided between a government-run association whose clergy are chosen by the Communist Party, and an unofficial church which swears allegiance to the Vatican. The Vatican has not had diplomatic relations with Beijing since 1951, two years after the founding of the communist People's Republic. Previous attempts to restore ties have floundered over Beijing's insistence that the Vatican must give up recognition of its rival Taiwan and promise not to interfere in religious issues in China.

Vatican announces historic China accord to appoint bishops

China and the Vatican will push to improve bilateral ties after the two sides signed a "provisional" agreement on the appointment of bishops on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

"The two sides will continue to maintain communication and push forward the improvement of bilateral relations," the ministry said in a brief statement, which added that the signing took place in Beijing but did not offer any details about the landmark deal.

China and the Vatican will push to improve bilateral ties after the two sides signed a "provisional" agreement on the appointment of bishops on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

China and the Vatican will push to improve bilateral ties after the two sides signed a "provisional" agreement on the appointment of bishops on Saturday, the Chinese foreign ministry said. "The two sides will continue to maintain communication and push forward the improvement of bilateral relations," the ministry said in a brief statement, which added that the signing took place in Beijing but did not offer any details about the landmark deal.

China says to push to improve Vatican ties after bishop deal

A monsignor who was a former advisor at the Vatican's US embassy in Washington will face charges of possessing and exchanging child pornography, the Holy See announced Saturday.

In a statement it said that Carlo Alberto Capella was ordered to face trial on Thursday, with the first hearing set for June 22.

Capella, who was in office until last year, was recalled from Washington by the Vatican in September.

The US State Department notified the Vatican in August through diplomatic channels of a possible violation of child pornography laws by a member of its diplomatic corps in Washington, the Vatican said at the time.

The United States had made "an official request" for the man's diplomatic immunity to be lifted but the Vatican refused, said a US official on condition of anonymity.

It is the latest case the Catholic Church has faced after repeated criticism for the way it has handled scandals over paedophile priests.

Last week Pope Francis wrote a letter to Chileans expressing "shame" that the Catholic church failed "to listen and react in time" to allegations of sexual abuse by the country's clergy.

The Chilean church has been rocked over accusations of wide-scale ignoring and covering up of child abuse by paedophile priest Fernando Karadima during the 1980s and 1990s.

In May the pontiff promised to "restore justice" after reading the conclusions of an investigation into the abuse, carried out after his defence of Chilean bishop Juan Barros -- accused of covering up Karadima's abuses -- caused a public outcry.

He later apologised to three of Karadima's victims at the Vatican and last weekend he received seven more people abused by the priest, who was suspended for life by the Vatican.

Two weeks previously 34 Chilean bishops announced their resignation over the scandal after being summoned to the Vatican by Francis.

In a statement, it said that Carlo Alberto Capella was ordered to face trial on Thursday, with the first hearing set for June 22

A monsignor who was a former advisor at the Vatican's US embassy in Washington will face charges of possessing and exchanging child pornography, the Holy See announced Saturday. In a statement it said that Carlo Alberto Capella was ordered to face trial on Thursday, with the first hearing set for June 22. Capella, who was in office until last year, was recalled from Washington by the Vatican in September. The US State Department notified the Vatican in August through diplomatic channels of a possible violation of child pornography laws by a member of its diplomatic corps in Washington, the Vatican said at the time. The United States had made "an official request" for the man's diplomatic immunity to be lifted but the Vatican refused, said a US official on condition of anonymity. It is the latest case the Catholic Church has faced after repeated criticism for the way it has handled scandals over paedophile priests. Last week Pope Francis wrote a letter to Chileans expressing "shame" that the Catholic church failed "to listen and react in time" to allegations of sexual abuse by the country's clergy. The Chilean church has been rocked over accusations of wide-scale ignoring and covering up of child abuse by paedophile priest Fernando Karadima during the 1980s and 1990s. In May the pontiff promised to "restore justice" after reading the conclusions of an investigation into the abuse, carried out after his defence of Chilean bishop Juan Barros -- accused of covering up Karadima's abuses -- caused a public outcry. He later apologised to three of Karadima's victims at the Vatican and last weekend he received seven more people abused by the priest, who was suspended for life by the Vatican. Two weeks previously 34 Chilean bishops announced their resignation over the scandal after being summoned to the Vatican by Francis.

Vatican orders ex-diplomat to face child sex abuse trial

The Vatican and China are not about to sign an accord on the appointment of bishops, but dialogue between the two sides continues, the Vatican said on Thursday.

A statement followed reports in China quoting a bishop backed by the Beijing government as saying that a long-awaited deal would be signed by the end of March.

A senior Vatican source said earlier on Thursday that the Vatican still did not know precisely when a Chinese delegation was due to come to Rome.

The details of a framework accord, which eventually could lead to diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Beijing, were worked out when a Vatican delegation visited China late last year.

Full relations would give the Church a legal framework to look after all of China’s estimated 12 million Catholics and move on to focus on Catholic growth in a country where Protestant churches are already growing fast.

Catholics in China are split between those in "underground" communities that recognise the pope and those belonging to a state-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association where bishops are appointed by the government in collaboration with local Church communities. Under the formal deal, the Vatican will have a say in negotiations for the appointment of future bishops.

Some Catholic leaders outside China, particularly Cardinal Joseph Zen, 86, the outspoken former bishop of Hong Kong, has been highly critical of the accord, saying the Vatican would be "selling out" to China's Communist Party.

A statement followed reports in China quoting a bishop backed by the Beijing government as saying that a long-awaited deal would be signed by the end of March

The Vatican and China are not about to sign an accord on the appointment of bishops, but dialogue between the two sides continues, the Vatican said on Thursday. A statement followed reports in China quoting a bishop backed by the Beijing government as saying that a long-awaited deal would be signed by the end of March. A senior Vatican source said earlier on Thursday that the Vatican still did not know precisely when a Chinese delegation was due to come to Rome. The details of a framework accord, which eventually could lead to diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Beijing, were worked out when a Vatican delegation visited China late last year. Full relations would give the Church a legal framework to look after all of China’s estimated 12 million Catholics and move on to focus on Catholic growth in a country where Protestant churches are already growing fast. Catholics in China are split between those in "underground" communities that recognise the pope and those belonging to a state-controlled Catholic Patriotic Association where bishops are appointed by the government in collaboration with local Church communities. Under the formal deal, the Vatican will have a say in negotiations for the appointment of future bishops. Some Catholic leaders outside China, particularly Cardinal Joseph Zen, 86, the outspoken former bishop of Hong Kong, has been highly critical of the accord, saying the Vatican would be "selling out" to China's Communist Party.

Vatican-China accord on naming bishops not imminent, dialogue continues: Vatican

Monsignor Dario Vigano, the Italian head of the Vatican communications department who was caught up in the so-called &quot;Lettergate&quot; scandal, has resigned, the Vatican said on Wednesday.

A brief Vatican statement said Pope Francis had &quot;accepted&quot; Vigano&#39;s resignation but a Vatican source said the prelate had been told to offer it, meaning he was fired.

Vigano, 55, whose formal title was Prefect of the Secretariat for Communication, had come under sharp criticism for blurring part of a photograph of a letter by former Pope Benedict and citing it selectively for a week before releasing the entire text on Saturday.

The episode cast a shadow over the Vatican and was a public relations fiasco, particularly because earlier this year, the Pope wrote a document on the dangers of &quot;fake news&quot;.

The letter was meant to remain confidential but Vigano read selected passages of it at the presentation on March 12 of a Vatican-published 11-booklet series on the theology of Pope Francis.

Vatican statement said Pope Francis had "accepted" Vigano's resignation

Monsignor Dario Vigano, the Italian head of the Vatican communications department who was caught up in the so-called "Lettergate" scandal, has resigned, the Vatican said on Wednesday. A brief Vatican statement said Pope Francis had "accepted" Vigano's resignation but a Vatican source said the prelate had been told to offer it, meaning he was fired. Vigano, 55, whose formal title was Prefect of the Secretariat for Communication, had come under sharp criticism for blurring part of a photograph of a letter by former Pope Benedict and citing it selectively for a week before releasing the entire text on Saturday. The episode cast a shadow over the Vatican and was a public relations fiasco, particularly because earlier this year, the Pope wrote a document on the dangers of "fake news". The letter was meant to remain confidential but Vigano read selected passages of it at the presentation on March 12 of a Vatican-published 11-booklet series on the theology of Pope Francis.

Vatican communications chief Vigano resigns over 'lettergate' scandal

Pope Francis renewed a commission on clergy sexual abuse on Saturday, confirming a U.S. cardinal as its head, as the Vatican promised to give victims a greater say in its work.

The renewal of the commission and the confirmation of Cardinal Sean O`Malley of Boston as its head comes as the pope is dealing with an abuse scandal in Chile that has created one of the greatest image crises of his papacy, which marks its fifth anniversary next month.[L8N1Q56UY].

The first, three-year mandate of the commission ended in December and its future had been uncertain.

Its first term was marred by two high-profile resignations, that of Marie Collins of Ireland and Peter Saunders of Britain. Both were victims of clergy sexual abuse when they were young and both stepped down in what they said was frustration over lack of change and insufficient cooperation by top Vatican officials.

A Vatican statement said victims of sexual abuse were among the members but that it was up to them to decide to disclose this outside the 16-member international commission, made up of nine new members and seven returning ones.

It said plans were at an advanced stage to create a group made up of victims of sexual abuse known as the International Survivor Advisory Panel (ISAP) to offer consultation on &quot;abuse prevention from the survivor`s perspective&quot;.

Protect minors

The mandate of the commission, which includes lay academics and psychologists, priests and nuns, is to promote best practice initiatives and educational programmes to protect minors and vulnerable adults in local Catholic institutions around the world.

Its experts come from the United States, Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, Ethiopia, India, Italy, Tonga, Germany, Brazil, Poland, South Africa, the Philippines, and Zambia. Ten are non-clerics and eight are women, including three nuns.

Francis has been under fire for remarks he made last month in Chile.

He initially said accusations against a Chilean bishop were &quot;slander&quot; and told reporters the Vatican had received no concrete evidence against him.

But days later, he appointed the Church`s most experienced sexual abuse investigator to look into the accusations that Bishop Juan Barros had covered up crimes against minors.

The investigator, Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, starts his work in New York on Saturday when he is due to meet Juan Carlos Cruz, who says he was sexually abused when he was a teenager in Chile by a priest called Fernando Karadima.

Karadima was found guilty in a Vatican investigation in 2011 of abusing teenage boys over many years. Karadima denies the allegations and Barros denied accusations that he witnessed Karadima carrying out the abuse.

&nbsp;

Pope Francis has been under fire for remarks he made last month in Chile

Pope Francis renewed a commission on clergy sexual abuse on Saturday, confirming a U.S. cardinal as its head, as the Vatican promised to give victims a greater say in its work. The renewal of the commission and the confirmation of Cardinal Sean O`Malley of Boston as its head comes as the pope is dealing with an abuse scandal in Chile that has created one of the greatest image crises of his papacy, which marks its fifth anniversary next month.[L8N1Q56UY]. The first, three-year mandate of the commission ended in December and its future had been uncertain. Its first term was marred by two high-profile resignations, that of Marie Collins of Ireland and Peter Saunders of Britain. Both were victims of clergy sexual abuse when they were young and both stepped down in what they said was frustration over lack of change and insufficient cooperation by top Vatican officials. A Vatican statement said victims of sexual abuse were among the members but that it was up to them to decide to disclose this outside the 16-member international commission, made up of nine new members and seven returning ones. It said plans were at an advanced stage to create a group made up of victims of sexual abuse known as the International Survivor Advisory Panel (ISAP) to offer consultation on "abuse prevention from the survivor`s perspective". Protect minors The mandate of the commission, which includes lay academics and psychologists, priests and nuns, is to promote best practice initiatives and educational programmes to protect minors and vulnerable adults in local Catholic institutions around the world. Its experts come from the United States, Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, Ethiopia, India, Italy, Tonga, Germany, Brazil, Poland, South Africa, the Philippines, and Zambia. Ten are non-clerics and eight are women, including three nuns. Francis has been under fire for remarks he made last month in Chile. He initially said accusations against a Chilean bishop were "slander" and told reporters the Vatican had received no concrete evidence against him. But days later, he appointed the Church`s most experienced sexual abuse investigator to look into the accusations that Bishop Juan Barros had covered up crimes against minors. The investigator, Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, starts his work in New York on Saturday when he is due to meet Juan Carlos Cruz, who says he was sexually abused when he was a teenager in Chile by a priest called Fernando Karadima. Karadima was found guilty in a Vatican investigation in 2011 of abusing teenage boys over many years. Karadima denies the allegations and Barros denied accusations that he witnessed Karadima carrying out the abuse.

Pope renews commission on sexual abuse, Vatican promises victims more say

Pope Francis, in an extremely rare act of self-criticism, apologised to victims of clerical sex abuse on Sunday, acknowledging he had &quot;wounded many&quot; in comments defending a Chilean bishop who is under scrutiny.

But while the pope said he was sorry for his choice of words and tone of voice when he testily answered a reporter&#39;s question last Thursday in Chile, he also said he was certain that the prelate, Juan Barros, was innocent.

&quot;I have to apologise,&quot; an unusually contrite pope told reporters aboard the plane returning to Rome from a week-long trip to Chile and Peru, saying he realised he had &quot;wounded many people who were abused&quot;.

&quot;I apologise to them if I hurt them without realising it, but it was a wound that I inflicted without meaning to,&quot; he said. &quot;It pains me very much.&quot;

In the latest twist to a saga that has gripped Chile, Francis said Barros, who is accused of protecting a notorious paedophile, would remain in his place in the diocese of Osorno because there currently was no credible evidence against him.

Last Thursday, a Chilean reporter managed to get close the pope at the end of an event and shouted out a question about Barros.

&quot;The day I see proof against Bishop Barros, then I will talk. There is not a single piece of evidence against him. It is all slander. Is that clear?&quot; the pope replied in a snippy tone.

His comments were seen as trying to dismiss the credibility of accusers and were widely criticised by victims, their advocates and newspaper editorials in Chile and the pope&#39;s native Argentina.

On Saturday, even Cardinal Sean O&#39;Malley of Boston, a key papal adviser, distanced himself with a statement saying the pope had caused &quot;great pain&quot;.

Slap in the face

Francis said on the plane: &quot;I know how much they (abuse victims) suffer in hearing the pope say to them &#39;bring me a letter with the proof,&#39;&nbsp;I realise that it is a slap in their faces, and now I realise that my expression was an unfortunate one&quot;.

Barros has been accused of protecting his former mentor, the Rev. Fernando Karadima, who was found guilty in a Vatican investigation in 2011 of abusing teenage boys over many years. Karadima denies the allegations, and Barros said he was unaware of any wrongdoing.

Barros was among the men Karadima trained about 20 years ago. Barros and three others went on to become bishops. A Chilean, Juan Carlos Cruz, said Barros saw Karadima abuse him.

In his comments on the plane, the pope disclosed that Barros had offered to resign twice in recent years but Francis rejected the offers.

&quot;I can&#39;t condemn him because I don`t have evidence and because I am convinced he is innocent,&quot; Francis said.

He said Barros would remain in his place unless credible evidence is found against him.

The statement from O&#39;Malley on Saturday implicitly criticising the pope was even more remarkable because O&#39;Malley heads a papal commission advising the pontiff on how to root out sexual abuse in the Church.

Critics decry dismal record

Victims group have criticised the pope&#39;s record on abuse.

He defended it on the plane, saying that since he started his papacy in 2013, he had received about 25 requests for pardons by priests convicted of paedophilia, most of them very old.&nbsp;

&quot;I have not signed even one,&quot; he said, denying a U.S. media report last year.

While the pope has vowed &quot;zero tolerance&quot; for sexual abuse, his efforts have sputtered.

A planned Vatican tribunal to judge bishops accused of covering up sexual abuse or mishandling cases never started and the much-touted commission O&#39;Malley heads has been hit by defections by high-profile non-clerical members who had been victims of abuse when they were children.

Marie Collins of Ireland quit in frustration last year, citing a &quot;shameful&quot; lack of cooperation within the Vatican. Another, Peter Saunders of Britain, also quit in frustration.

The pope reminded reporters on the plane that on the first day of his trip to Chile he had expressed his &quot;pain and shame&quot; for the rape and molestation of children by priests and later met with two victims.

Juan Carlos Claret, a spokesman for anti-Barros Catholics in Osorno, southern Chile, said during the trip that he worried the pope&#39;s response to the reporter before the apology would discourage more victims from speaking out.&nbsp;

&quot;What incentive will victims have to come forward when even if the courts and the Vatican have said they are right, in the end, the pope says they are pure lies?&quot; he said in a telephone interview.

While the pope said he was sorry for his choice of words, he also said he was certain that the prelate, Juan Barros, was innocent

Pope Francis, in an extremely rare act of self-criticism, apologised to victims of clerical sex abuse on Sunday, acknowledging he had "wounded many" in comments defending a Chilean bishop who is under scrutiny. But while the pope said he was sorry for his choice of words and tone of voice when he testily answered a reporter's question last Thursday in Chile, he also said he was certain that the prelate, Juan Barros, was innocent. "I have to apologise," an unusually contrite pope told reporters aboard the plane returning to Rome from a week-long trip to Chile and Peru, saying he realised he had "wounded many people who were abused". "I apologise to them if I hurt them without realising it, but it was a wound that I inflicted without meaning to," he said. "It pains me very much." In the latest twist to a saga that has gripped Chile, Francis said Barros, who is accused of protecting a notorious paedophile, would remain in his place in the diocese of Osorno because there currently was no credible evidence against him. Last Thursday, a Chilean reporter managed to get close the pope at the end of an event and shouted out a question about Barros. "The day I see proof against Bishop Barros, then I will talk. There is not a single piece of evidence against him. It is all slander. Is that clear?" the pope replied in a snippy tone. His comments were seen as trying to dismiss the credibility of accusers and were widely criticised by victims, their advocates and newspaper editorials in Chile and the pope's native Argentina. On Saturday, even Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, a key papal adviser, distanced himself with a statement saying the pope had caused "great pain". Slap in the face Francis said on the plane: "I know how much they (abuse victims) suffer in hearing the pope say to them 'bring me a letter with the proof,' I realise that it is a slap in their faces, and now I realise that my expression was an unfortunate one". Barros has been accused of protecting his former mentor, the Rev. Fernando Karadima, who was found guilty in a Vatican investigation in 2011 of abusing teenage boys over many years. Karadima denies the allegations, and Barros said he was unaware of any wrongdoing. Barros was among the men Karadima trained about 20 years ago. Barros and three others went on to become bishops. A Chilean, Juan Carlos Cruz, said Barros saw Karadima abuse him. In his comments on the plane, the pope disclosed that Barros had offered to resign twice in recent years but Francis rejected the offers. "I can't condemn him because I don`t have evidence and because I am convinced he is innocent," Francis said. He said Barros would remain in his place unless credible evidence is found against him. The statement from O'Malley on Saturday implicitly criticising the pope was even more remarkable because O'Malley heads a papal commission advising the pontiff on how to root out sexual abuse in the Church. Critics decry dismal record Victims group have criticised the pope's record on abuse. He defended it on the plane, saying that since he started his papacy in 2013, he had received about 25 requests for pardons by priests convicted of paedophilia, most of them very old. "I have not signed even one," he said, denying a U.S. media report last year. While the pope has vowed "zero tolerance" for sexual abuse, his efforts have sputtered. A planned Vatican tribunal to judge bishops accused of covering up sexual abuse or mishandling cases never started and the much-touted commission O'Malley heads has been hit by defections by high-profile non-clerical members who had been victims of abuse when they were children. Marie Collins of Ireland quit in frustration last year, citing a "shameful" lack of cooperation within the Vatican. Another, Peter Saunders of Britain, also quit in frustration. The pope reminded reporters on the plane that on the first day of his trip to Chile he had expressed his "pain and shame" for the rape and molestation of children by priests and later met with two victims. Juan Carlos Claret, a spokesman for anti-Barros Catholics in Osorno, southern Chile, said during the trip that he worried the pope's response to the reporter before the apology would discourage more victims from speaking out. "What incentive will victims have to come forward when even if the courts and the Vatican have said they are right, in the end, the pope says they are pure lies?" he said in a telephone interview.

Pope apologises for sexual abuse comments that 'wounded many'

Tayyip Erdogan made the first visit by a Turkish president to see the Pope in the Vatican in 59 years on Monday as Rome was put under heavy security measures for fear of violent demonstrations.

Erdogan said before he left Turkey that he would discuss the Middle East situation and Jerusalem in particular. The Vatican was due to issue a statement about the meeting later.

Both Erdogan and Pope Francis are opposed to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which many US&nbsp;allies say could doom Middle East peace efforts.

Erdogan, returning a visit made by the pope to Turkey in 2014, spoke privately with Francis for about 50 minutes in the pontiff&#39;s frescoed study in the Vatican&#39;s Apostolic Palace, which he uses mostly for ceremonial purposes.

At the end of the private part of the meeting, the pope gave Erdogan a bronze medallion showing an angel embracing the northern and southern hemispheres while overcoming the opposition of a dragon.

&quot;This is the angel of peace who strangles the demon of war,&quot; the pope told Erdogan as he gave him the medallion, made by the Italian artist Guido Verol. &quot;(It is) a symbol of a world based on peace an justice.&quot;

The public part of the meeting, with reporters and Erdogan&#39;s entourage, was cordial, although both men seemed stiff at the start while seated at the pope&#39;s desk before journalists were ushered out.

Erdogan&#39;s motorcade entered a virtually deserted St. Peter&#39;s Square after the streets that are usually bustling with tourists were closed due to security fears.

A small, authorised demonstration of Kurds and their supporters was held outside nearby Castel Sant&#39;Angelo, a fortress on the banks of the River Tiber.

Some 3,500 police and security forces were on duty in Rome and authorities declared a no-go area for unauthorised demonstrations that included the Vatican, Erdogan&#39;s hotel and Italian palaces where he is meeting the president and prime minister.

Matteo Salvini, head of Italy&#39;s anti-immigrant Northern League, said in a tweet that it was &quot;shameful&quot; that the government was receiving Erdogan, calling him &quot;the head of a bloody, freedom-killing Islamic regime&quot;.

Erdogan and the pope spoke by phone in December after Trump made his announcement on Jerusalem and agreed that any change to the city&#39;s status quo should be avoided.

The Vatican backs a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with both sides agreeing on the status of Jerusalem - home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions - as part of the peace process.

Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state, whereas Israel has declared the whole city to be its &quot;united and eternal&quot; capital.

Among Erdogan&#39;s delegation was the Mehmet Pacaci, Turkey&#39;s ambassador to the Vatican. Erdogan recalled Pacaci to Turkey in 2015 when Francis became the head of the Roman Catholic Church and called the 1915 killing of as many as 1.5 million Armenians &quot;genocide&quot; - something Turkey has always denied.

The ambassador stayed away for nearly 10 months.

Erdogan said before he left Turkey that he would discuss the Middle East situation and Jerusalem in particular

Tayyip Erdogan made the first visit by a Turkish president to see the Pope in the Vatican in 59 years on Monday as Rome was put under heavy security measures for fear of violent demonstrations. Erdogan said before he left Turkey that he would discuss the Middle East situation and Jerusalem in particular. The Vatican was due to issue a statement about the meeting later. Both Erdogan and Pope Francis are opposed to US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which many US allies say could doom Middle East peace efforts. Erdogan, returning a visit made by the pope to Turkey in 2014, spoke privately with Francis for about 50 minutes in the pontiff's frescoed study in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, which he uses mostly for ceremonial purposes. At the end of the private part of the meeting, the pope gave Erdogan a bronze medallion showing an angel embracing the northern and southern hemispheres while overcoming the opposition of a dragon. "This is the angel of peace who strangles the demon of war," the pope told Erdogan as he gave him the medallion, made by the Italian artist Guido Verol. "(It is) a symbol of a world based on peace an justice." The public part of the meeting, with reporters and Erdogan's entourage, was cordial, although both men seemed stiff at the start while seated at the pope's desk before journalists were ushered out. Erdogan's motorcade entered a virtually deserted St. Peter's Square after the streets that are usually bustling with tourists were closed due to security fears. A small, authorised demonstration of Kurds and their supporters was held outside nearby Castel Sant'Angelo, a fortress on the banks of the River Tiber. Some 3,500 police and security forces were on duty in Rome and authorities declared a no-go area for unauthorised demonstrations that included the Vatican, Erdogan's hotel and Italian palaces where he is meeting the president and prime minister. Matteo Salvini, head of Italy's anti-immigrant Northern League, said in a tweet that it was "shameful" that the government was receiving Erdogan, calling him "the head of a bloody, freedom-killing Islamic regime". Erdogan and the pope spoke by phone in December after Trump made his announcement on Jerusalem and agreed that any change to the city's status quo should be avoided. The Vatican backs a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with both sides agreeing on the status of Jerusalem - home to sites holy to the Muslim, Jewish and Christian religions - as part of the peace process. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state, whereas Israel has declared the whole city to be its "united and eternal" capital. Among Erdogan's delegation was the Mehmet Pacaci, Turkey's ambassador to the Vatican. Erdogan recalled Pacaci to Turkey in 2015 when Francis became the head of the Roman Catholic Church and called the 1915 killing of as many as 1.5 million Armenians "genocide" - something Turkey has always denied. The ambassador stayed away for nearly 10 months.

Erdogan and Pope hold talks as Rome locked down in tight security

A topless activist from the feminist group Femen tried to snatch the statue of the baby Jesus from the Nativity scene in St Peter&#39;s Square on Monday but was stopped by police as she grabbed it.

A Reuters photographer said the woman jumped over guard rails and rushed onto the larger-than-life Nativity scene shouting &quot;God is woman&quot;. She had the same slogan painted on her bare back.

A Vatican gendarme stopped her from taking the statue and she was detained. The incident happened about two hours before Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message to some 50,000 people in the square.

The group&#39;s website identified her as Alisa Vinogradova and called her a &quot;sextremist&quot;. It says the goal of the group, which was founded in Ukraine, is &quot;complete victory over patriarchy&quot;.

A Femen activist staged a similar action on Christmas Day 2014 but managed to take the statue out of the crib before she was arrested.

A Vatican gendarme stopped her from taking the statue and she was detained. The incident happened about two hours before Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message to some 50,000 people in the square.

A topless activist from the feminist group Femen tried to snatch the statue of the baby Jesus from the Nativity scene in St Peter's Square on Monday but was stopped by police as she grabbed it. A Reuters photographer said the woman jumped over guard rails and rushed onto the larger-than-life Nativity scene shouting "God is woman". She had the same slogan painted on her bare back. A Vatican gendarme stopped her from taking the statue and she was detained. The incident happened about two hours before Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message to some 50,000 people in the square. The group's website identified her as Alisa Vinogradova and called her a "sextremist". It says the goal of the group, which was founded in Ukraine, is "complete victory over patriarchy". A Femen activist staged a similar action on Christmas Day 2014 but managed to take the statue out of the crib before she was arrested.

Topless Femen activist tries to snatch Jesus statue from Vatican crib

Pope Francis used his Christmas message on Monday to call for a negotiated two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after US President Donald Trump stoked regional tensions with his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

&quot;Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached, one that would allow the peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognised borders,&quot; Francis said.

It was the second time that the pope has spoken out publicly about Jerusalem since Trump&#39;s decision on December 6. On that day, Francis called for the city&#39;s &quot;status quo&quot; to be respected, lest new tensions in the Middle East further inflame world conflicts.

It was the second time that the pope has spoken out publicly about Jerusalem since Trump's decision on December 6.

Pope Francis used his Christmas message on Monday to call for a negotiated two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, after US President Donald Trump stoked regional tensions with his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. "Let us pray that the will to resume dialogue may prevail between the parties and that a negotiated solution can finally be reached, one that would allow the peaceful coexistence of two states within mutually agreed and internationally recognised borders," Francis said. It was the second time that the pope has spoken out publicly about Jerusalem since Trump's decision on December 6. On that day, Francis called for the city's "status quo" to be respected, lest new tensions in the Middle East further inflame world conflicts.

Mideast needs two-state solution, Pope says in Christmas message

Pope Francis celebrated his 81st birthday on Sunday with a massive crowd who gathered around the&nbsp;Saint Peter&#39;s Square and sang happy birthday.&nbsp;

The celebration took place on Sunday morning where twenty-five thousand children and pilgrims from many lands came to wish him, children carried balloons and bought&nbsp;statues of the infant Jesus for him to bless, as per Roman traditions.&nbsp;

The celebrations&nbsp;were followed by lunch and cake cutting ceremony.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20design%20(2)-20171217022203.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Pope Francis looking at children holding balloons shaped in the number 81 (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The cake&nbsp;was made by&nbsp;Mauro Pallotta, famously known as&nbsp;MauPal&nbsp;- who is an Italian graffiti artist.&nbsp;

The cake is designed&nbsp;with a picture of the pope carrying the world on his shoulders.&nbsp;

The pear and cinnamon delight shows Francis in his white cassock, holding up with one hand the world, which is divided in two but stitched back together - a symbol of the pope&#39;s unifying force, Rome pastry maker Hedera said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20design%20(1)-20171217022004.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The cake is decorated with a drawing of Italian street artist Mauro Pallotta a.k.a Maupal (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Numerous children from &quot;Dispensario Santa Marta&quot;, a Vatican pediatric clinic gathered around Francis during lunch - the feast included pizzas which were decorated with candles.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/untitled%20design%20(3)-20171217030134.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Pope Francis blowing a candle on a pizza for his 81st birthday with children assisted by &quot;Dispensario Santa Marta&quot;. (AFP)
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&quot;Be always joyful, even when things don&#39;t go as we wish they would,&quot; the pope said during the Angelus prayer.

&quot;When children see problems at home, parents that fight, they suffer. Don&#39;t make them sad. They must always grow up with joy,&quot; he said as he met disadvantaged youngsters looked after by a Vatican foundation.

The pope&#39;s birthday this year falls on Gaudete Sunday, which the church marks as a moment of particular joy as celebrations for the birth of Jesus Christ approach.

&nbsp;

The pope's birthday this year falls on Gaudete Sunday, which the church marks as a moment of particular joy as celebrations for the birth of Jesus Christ approach

Pope Francis celebrated his 81st birthday on Sunday with a massive crowd who gathered around the Saint Peter's Square and sang happy birthday. The celebration took place on Sunday morning where twenty-five thousand children and pilgrims from many lands came to wish him, children carried balloons and bought statues of the infant Jesus for him to bless, as per Roman traditions. The celebrations were followed by lunch and cake cutting ceremony. Pope Francis looking at children holding balloons shaped in the number 81 (AFP) × The cake was made by Mauro Pallotta, famously known as MauPal - who is an Italian graffiti artist. The cake is designed with a picture of the pope carrying the world on his shoulders. The pear and cinnamon delight shows Francis in his white cassock, holding up with one hand the world, which is divided in two but stitched back together - a symbol of the pope's unifying force, Rome pastry maker Hedera said. The cake is decorated with a drawing of Italian street artist Mauro Pallotta a.k.a Maupal (AFP) × Numerous children from "Dispensario Santa Marta", a Vatican pediatric clinic gathered around Francis during lunch - the feast included pizzas which were decorated with candles. Pope Francis blowing a candle on a pizza for his 81st birthday with children assisted by "Dispensario Santa Marta". (AFP) × "Be always joyful, even when things don't go as we wish they would," the pope said during the Angelus prayer. "When children see problems at home, parents that fight, they suffer. Don't make them sad. They must always grow up with joy," he said as he met disadvantaged youngsters looked after by a Vatican foundation. The pope's birthday this year falls on Gaudete Sunday, which the church marks as a moment of particular joy as celebrations for the birth of Jesus Christ approach.

Inside Pope Francis' 81st birthday celebrations - cake, balloons, and pizzas!

Pope Francis made a surprise appearance at a TED talk conference on Tuesday, urging powerful leaders &quot;to act humbly&quot; and said he hoped technological innovation would not leave people behind.

The 18-minute video was filmed in Vatican City and broadcast to the audience at the annual TED 2017 conference in Vancouver.

&quot;The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people, the more responsible you are to act humbly,&quot; said the pontiff, while seated at a desk.

&quot;If you don&#39;t, your power will ruin you, and you will ruin the other.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people, the more responsible you are to act humbly,&#39; Pope Francis said</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people, the more responsible you are to act humbly,' Pope Francis said" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

The comments echoed Francis&#39; frequent themes to not ignore the plight of immigrants, the poor and other vulnerable people

Speaking in Italian with subtitles, Francis urged solidarity to overcome a &quot;culture of waste&quot; that had affected not only food but people cast aside by economic systems that rely increasingly on automation.

&quot;How wonderful would it be if the growth of scientific and technological innovation would come along with more equality and

social inclusion,&quot; he said.

TED Talk lectures have grown in popularity, having been viewed cumulatively over 4.6 billion times since going online in 2006 (www.ted.com).

Other speakers slated to appear at the annual conference this week include tennis superstar Serena Williams and entrepreneur Elon Musk.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

'The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people, the more responsible you are to act humbly,' he said

Pope Francis made a surprise appearance at a TED talk conference on Tuesday, urging powerful leaders "to act humbly" and said he hoped technological innovation would not leave people behind. The 18-minute video was filmed in Vatican City and broadcast to the audience at the annual TED 2017 conference in Vancouver. "The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people, the more responsible you are to act humbly," said the pontiff, while seated at a desk. "If you don't, your power will ruin you, and you will ruin the other." The more powerful you are, the more your actions will have an impact on people, the more responsible you are to act humbly,' Pope Francis said × The comments echoed Francis' frequent themes to not ignore the plight of immigrants, the poor and other vulnerable people Speaking in Italian with subtitles, Francis urged solidarity to overcome a "culture of waste" that had affected not only food but people cast aside by economic systems that rely increasingly on automation. "How wonderful would it be if the growth of scientific and technological innovation would come along with more equality and social inclusion," he said. TED Talk lectures have grown in popularity, having been viewed cumulatively over 4.6 billion times since going online in 2006 (www.ted.com). Other speakers slated to appear at the annual conference this week include tennis superstar Serena Williams and entrepreneur Elon Musk. (Reuters)

Pope gives TED talk, tells powerful leaders to 'act humbly'

The Vatican will beatify Rania Maria, 22 years after she was murdered for her missionary work among the downtrodden.

Maria will be known as Blessed Rania Maria -- a title that is a stage below sainthood in Catholic Church. Beatification is the penultimate stage of the canonisation process.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Pope Francis has approved the report of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints for promulgating the decree of Sr Rani Maria&rsquo;s martyrdom,&quot; The Indian Express quoted the&nbsp;Syro-Malabar Church in Kochi as saying.

Vatican had already started Maria&#39;s elevation to sainthood in 2003. She was declared a &quot;servant of god&quot; in 2007.

Maria was 41 when she died of 54 stab wounds while on a bus in India&#39;s central state of Madhya Pradesh. She was murdered&nbsp;by a man named Samandar Singh.

Singh was handed a life term but speaking to The Indian Express now, expressed his &quot;lifetime remorse&quot; for killing Maria.

&quot;What I did was wrong. It has saddled me with a lifelong remorse &ndash; I repent for my deed and think about her in my prayers every day.&rdquo;

Singh said he was influenced by some landlords to kill Maria for her work with the poor in the country.

But now Singh hopes that he gets the chance to travel to the Vatican for her beatification.

Since he doesn&#39;t have a passport, he hopes that &quot;the Vatican writes to the government of India... maybe I will get a passport&quot;.

On Friday, Sister Selmy Maria, sister of the slain nun, said: &quot;We&nbsp;got official confirmation (of Maria&#39;s beatification) around 6pm yesterday. I am proud of my sister.&quot;

Maria, who hailed from India&#39;s southern state of Kerala, worked as a social worker withing the Diocese of Indore&nbsp;in central India, Radio Vatican said.

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Rani Maria was killed for her social work among the poor in central India

The Vatican will beatify Rania Maria, 22 years after she was murdered for her missionary work among the downtrodden. Maria will be known as Blessed Rania Maria -- a title that is a stage below sainthood in Catholic Church. Beatification is the penultimate stage of the canonisation process. “Pope Francis has approved the report of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints for promulgating the decree of Sr Rani Maria’s martyrdom," The Indian Express quoted the Syro-Malabar Church in Kochi as saying. Vatican had already started Maria's elevation to sainthood in 2003. She was declared a "servant of god" in 2007. Maria was 41 when she died of 54 stab wounds while on a bus in India's central state of Madhya Pradesh. She was murdered by a man named Samandar Singh. Singh was handed a life term but speaking to The Indian Express now, expressed his "lifetime remorse" for killing Maria. "What I did was wrong. It has saddled me with a lifelong remorse – I repent for my deed and think about her in my prayers every day.” Singh said he was influenced by some landlords to kill Maria for her work with the poor in the country. But now Singh hopes that he gets the chance to travel to the Vatican for her beatification. Since he doesn't have a passport, he hopes that "the Vatican writes to the government of India... maybe I will get a passport". On Friday, Sister Selmy Maria, sister of the slain nun, said: "We got official confirmation (of Maria's beatification) around 6pm yesterday. I am proud of my sister." Maria, who hailed from India's southern state of Kerala, worked as a social worker withing the Diocese of Indore in central India, Radio Vatican said. (WION)

Indian nun murdered 22 years ago to be beatified by Vatican

The last time the entire Sistine Chapel was photographed for posterity, digital photography was in its infancy and words like pixels were bandied about mostly by computer nerds and NASA scientists.

Now, after decades of technological advances in art photography, digital darkrooms and printing techniques, a five-year project that will aid future restorations has left the Vatican Museums with 270,000 digital frames that show frescoes by Michelangelo and other masters in fresh, stunning detail.

&quot;In the future, this will allow us to know the state of every centimetre of the chapel as it is today, in 2017,&quot; said Antonio Paolucci, former head of the museums and a world-renowned expert on the Sistine.

Michelangelo&#39;s ceiling frescoes include one of the most famous scenes in art - the arm of a gentle, bearded God reaching out to give life to Adam.

The Renaissance master finished the ceiling in 1512 and painted the massive &quot;Last Judgement&quot; panel behind the altar between 1535 and 1541.

The last time all Sistine frescoes were photographed was between 1980 and 1994, during a landmark restoration project that cleaned them for the first time in centuries.

The new photos were taken for inclusion in a new three-volume, 870-page set that is limited to 1,999 copies and marketed to libraries and collectors.

The set, which costs about 12,000 euros ($12,700), was a joint production of the Vatican Museums and Italy&#39;s Scripta Maneant high-end art publishers.

Post production computer techniques included &quot;stitching&quot; of frames that photographers took while working out of sight for 65 nights from 7 pm&nbsp;to 2 am, when the chapel where popes are elected is closed.

The project was known to only to a few people until it was unveiled in the chapel on Friday night.

The set includes the entire chapel, including the mosaic floor and 15th-century frescoes by artists who have long languished in Michelangelo&#39;s giant shadow.

More than 220 pages are printed in 1:1 scale, including &#39;The Creation of Adam&#39; and Jesus&#39; face from the Last Judgement.

Each volume weighs about 9 kg (20 pounds) and fold-out pages measure 60 by 130 cm ( 24 by 51 inches).

The old photos taken during the last restoration were done with film.

&quot;We used special post-production software to get the depth, intensity, warmth and nuance of colours to an accuracy of 99.9 percent,&quot; said Giorgio Armaroli, head of Scripta Maneant.

&quot;Future restorers will use these as their standards,&quot; he said, adding that each page was printed six times.

Brush strokes are clearly visible as are the &quot;borders&quot; delineating sections, known as &quot;giornate,&quot; or days. Since frescoes are painted on wet plaster, artists prepare just enough for what they can complete in each session.

The photographers used a 10-metre-high (33 feet) portable scaffold and special telescopic lens. The results are now stored in a Vatican server holding 30 terabytes of information.

(Reuters)

A five-year project that will aid future restorations has left the Vatican Museums with 270,000 digital frames

The last time the entire Sistine Chapel was photographed for posterity, digital photography was in its infancy and words like pixels were bandied about mostly by computer nerds and NASA scientists. Now, after decades of technological advances in art photography, digital darkrooms and printing techniques, a five-year project that will aid future restorations has left the Vatican Museums with 270,000 digital frames that show frescoes by Michelangelo and other masters in fresh, stunning detail. "In the future, this will allow us to know the state of every centimetre of the chapel as it is today, in 2017," said Antonio Paolucci, former head of the museums and a world-renowned expert on the Sistine. Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes include one of the most famous scenes in art - the arm of a gentle, bearded God reaching out to give life to Adam. The Renaissance master finished the ceiling in 1512 and painted the massive "Last Judgement" panel behind the altar between 1535 and 1541. The last time all Sistine frescoes were photographed was between 1980 and 1994, during a landmark restoration project that cleaned them for the first time in centuries. The new photos were taken for inclusion in a new three-volume, 870-page set that is limited to 1,999 copies and marketed to libraries and collectors. The set, which costs about 12,000 euros ($12,700), was a joint production of the Vatican Museums and Italy's Scripta Maneant high-end art publishers. Post production computer techniques included "stitching" of frames that photographers took while working out of sight for 65 nights from 7 pm to 2 am, when the chapel where popes are elected is closed. The project was known to only to a few people until it was unveiled in the chapel on Friday night. The set includes the entire chapel, including the mosaic floor and 15th-century frescoes by artists who have long languished in Michelangelo's giant shadow. More than 220 pages are printed in 1:1 scale, including 'The Creation of Adam' and Jesus' face from the Last Judgement. Each volume weighs about 9 kg (20 pounds) and fold-out pages measure 60 by 130 cm ( 24 by 51 inches). The old photos taken during the last restoration were done with film. "We used special post-production software to get the depth, intensity, warmth and nuance of colours to an accuracy of 99.9 percent," said Giorgio Armaroli, head of Scripta Maneant. "Future restorers will use these as their standards," he said, adding that each page was printed six times. Brush strokes are clearly visible as are the "borders" delineating sections, known as "giornate," or days. Since frescoes are painted on wet plaster, artists prepare just enough for what they can complete in each session. The photographers used a 10-metre-high (33 feet) portable scaffold and special telescopic lens. The results are now stored in a Vatican server holding 30 terabytes of information. (Reuters)

Sistine Chapel gets full digital treatment for future restorations

The Roman Catholic Church may soon join Ibero-American leaders seeking dialogue between Venezuela&#39;s feuding government and opposition, the head of a regional bloc said on Thursday.

&quot;I think it&#39;s good news this petition has been accepted by both sides. It will enrich us spiritually and, hopefully, politically,&quot; said former Colombian president Ernesto Samper, who heads the UNASUR bloc of South American states.

With Venezuela enduring an unprecedented economic crisis, President Nicolas Maduro&#39;s socialist government is locked in a bitter standoff with the Democratic Unity opposition coalition.

The opposition won control of the legislature in 2015 and is pushing for a recall referendum this year to try and remove Maduro, whom they blame for Venezuela&#39;s runaway inflation, product shortages and third year of recession.

But Maduro, 53, the former bus driver who won election to succeed Hugo Chavez in 2013, accuses them of planning a coup and says the referendum will not happen. The government-leaning Supreme Court has shot down most of the legislature&#39;s measures.

Union of South American Nations&#39;&nbsp;(UNASUR)&nbsp;Samper, and three other former heads of state - Spain&#39;s Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Panama&#39;s Martin Torrijos and the Dominican Republic&#39;s Leonel Fernandez - have for weeks been trying to bring both sides to the negotiating table.

But the rhetoric remains bitter, and various opposition leaders say Maduro&#39;s public exhortations to support dialogue are a cynical attempt to buy time and cling to power.

The opposition is suspicious of UNASUR and had been requesting a widening of potential mediators, including the&nbsp;Vatican. Pope Francis played a key role in facilitating Cuba and the United States&#39; recent rapprochement, and the Church has said it is willing to help in Venezuela&#39;s crisis. 
 
Local church leaders have been extremely critical of Maduro. Democratic Unity head Jesus Torrealba said the coalition would respond to Samper&#39;s invitation to dialogue at the weekend.

But he added that the opposition maintained its condition for talks: a recall referendum this year, permission for international humanitarian aid to Venezuela, the freeing of jailed government opponents, and respect for the legislature.

While critics blame failed socialist economic policies for the OPEC nation&#39;s economic woes, Maduro points to the fall in oil prices, along with an &quot;economic war&quot; led by domestic opponents and businesses with the backing of Washington.

Maduro, who met with Samper and the other former leaders on Thursday, said &quot;the path was opening ... for a political dialogue about all Venezuelans&#39; fundamental issues.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

With Venezuela in?economic crisis,?President?Maduro's socialist government is locked in a standoff with the Democratic Unity?coalition

The Roman Catholic Church may soon join Ibero-American leaders seeking dialogue between Venezuela's feuding government and opposition, the head of a regional bloc said on Thursday. "I think it's good news this petition has been accepted by both sides. It will enrich us spiritually and, hopefully, politically," said former Colombian president Ernesto Samper, who heads the UNASUR bloc of South American states. With Venezuela enduring an unprecedented economic crisis, President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government is locked in a bitter standoff with the Democratic Unity opposition coalition. The opposition won control of the legislature in 2015 and is pushing for a recall referendum this year to try and remove Maduro, whom they blame for Venezuela's runaway inflation, product shortages and third year of recession. But Maduro, 53, the former bus driver who won election to succeed Hugo Chavez in 2013, accuses them of planning a coup and says the referendum will not happen. The government-leaning Supreme Court has shot down most of the legislature's measures. Union of South American Nations' (UNASUR) Samper, and three other former heads of state - Spain's Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Panama's Martin Torrijos and the Dominican Republic's Leonel Fernandez - have for weeks been trying to bring both sides to the negotiating table. But the rhetoric remains bitter, and various opposition leaders say Maduro's public exhortations to support dialogue are a cynical attempt to buy time and cling to power. The opposition is suspicious of UNASUR and had been requesting a widening of potential mediators, including the Vatican. Pope Francis played a key role in facilitating Cuba and the United States' recent rapprochement, and the Church has said it is willing to help in Venezuela's crisis. Local church leaders have been extremely critical of Maduro. Democratic Unity head Jesus Torrealba said the coalition would respond to Samper's invitation to dialogue at the weekend. But he added that the opposition maintained its condition for talks: a recall referendum this year, permission for international humanitarian aid to Venezuela, the freeing of jailed government opponents, and respect for the legislature. While critics blame failed socialist economic policies for the OPEC nation's economic woes, Maduro points to the fall in oil prices, along with an "economic war" led by domestic opponents and businesses with the backing of Washington. Maduro, who met with Samper and the other former leaders on Thursday, said "the path was opening ... for a political dialogue about all Venezuelans' fundamental issues." (Reuters)

Vatican invited to mediate in Venezuela crisis

To the Catholic Church, French missionary Auguste Chapdelaine is a saint, martyred for his faith 160 years ago in China. To Communist Party officials, he is a devilish rapist, bandit and spy. 
 
Finishing touches are being put to a new museum in Dingan, the village where he died, celebrating the &quot;patriotism&quot; of his execution and condemning the &quot;spiritual opium&quot; of religion.&nbsp; 
 
Inside, Catholic vestments and chalices are displayed near a life-sized diorama of a white-robed Chapdelaine kneeling before the Qing dynasty magistrate who had him tortured and killed. 
 
Outside, a six metre bronze mural shows the missionary confined in a cage designed to suffocate captives to death over several days.&nbsp; 
 
The facility is part of a local tourism drive, but also fits into the ruling party&#39;s nationalist narrative and comes as increasingly assertive authorities in Beijing decry the influence of &quot;Western values&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
Chapdelaine was accused of fomenting insurrection, say independent historians&nbsp; 
 
Chapdelaine, born on a farm in Normandy, was ordained in his early twenties and sent in the early 1850s to the southern Chinese region of Guangxi, where he was known as &#39;Father Ma&#39;. 
 
In 1856, he was arrested with several Chinese believers in Dingan by the newly appointed magistrate, Zhang Mingfeng. 
 
Foreigners were banned from entering the area and official suspicion of Christians was fuelled by the bloody Taiping rebellion, begun in Guangxi by a man claiming to be Jesus&#39; brother and costing millions of lives. 
 
Independent historians say Chapdelaine was accused of fomenting insurrection, refused to pay a bribe, and died aged 42 following three days of torture. He was posthumously decapitated and his head hung from a tree. 
 
Chapdelaine&#39;s death was among the stated justifications for France&#39;s participation in the Second Opium War, which saw French and British troops loot Beijing`s Old Summer Palace and burn it to the ground, one of the national humiliations the Communist Party emphasises to support its legitimacy.&nbsp; 
 
In 2000, the Vatican canonised Chapdelaine and two of his executed followers as martyrs. 
 
In response, Chinese state media attacked the priest as a French spy and rapist of local women -- charges which scholars say have no historical grounding, but which have been given new life by the local government&#39;s publicity push. 
 
&quot;He was evil,&quot; said a middle-aged man working at the project site who refused to give his name. &quot;He was the reason you invaded us,&quot; he added.&nbsp; 
 
&#39;Father Ma was not a simple missionary&#39;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
As well as the museum in Dingan, a dusty mountain village, local authorities mounted a poetry contest last year offering 1,000 Yuan ($150) prizes for couplets to &quot;boost patriotic spirit&quot; and praise magistrate Zhang as an &quot;iron-willed hero&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
County officials have contracted a film company to produce a two-hour documentary on Chapdelaine for 3 million Yuan ($460,000). 
 
&quot;Father Ma was not a simple missionary,&quot; the firm`s CEO Liang Shuikang told AFP. &quot;His so-called `baptism` was taking other people`s wives and sleeping with them first,&quot; he underlined.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We are going to restore the true story of history,&quot; Shuikang&nbsp;said, adding the documentary`s goal was to have people remember China&#39;s sufferings and &quot;make the motherland into a great power&quot;.&nbsp;Some scholars worry that history is being abused.&nbsp; 
 
There is no doubt Chapdelaine`s death was exploited for imperialist gain, but Anthony Clark, China historian at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, said the ruling party&#39;s version of history was &quot;largely contrived&quot;. 
 
The ideas that Chapdelaine was &quot;a lascivious womaniser&quot; and spy in priest&#39;s robes were &quot;unsupportable in any historical records&quot;, he added.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;China&#39;s official state rhetoric has grown progressively nationalistic in recent years,&quot; Clark pointed out.&nbsp; 
 
&#39;Chapdelaine&#39;s killing violated Qing dynasty laws&#39; 
 
Other scholars note that official records suggest Chapdelaine had been confused with a bandit, Ma Zinong, who shared the same Chinese surname. 
 
Chinese historians are also concerned. Yuan Weishi, historian and retired professor at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, said Chapdelaine&#39;s killing violated Qing dynasty laws and was &quot;a shame to China&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Nationalist sentiment&quot; had risen alongside China&#39;s economic growth and some academics felt obliged to follow official propaganda, he added. &quot;They promote under the name of patriotism what they think are heroic deeds by China,&quot; he said, but doing so was &quot;wrong and ignorant&quot;. In the cliffside village of Changjing, where Chapdelaine lived and preached a few kilometres from Dingan, the residents are still mostly Catholic and say they are puzzled by the publicity drive. 
 
&quot;They believe he`s an evil man, but we don`t see him that way,&quot; said a young farmer named Yang. &quot;How could he be a spy?&quot; he questions.&nbsp; 
 
In Dingan itself, a priest named Father Wei leads a small, aging congregation of roughly 100 Catholics. Performing mass for ten believers in a church on the second floor of a building a short walk from the new museum, he offered a prayer for Chapdelaine, asking for strength to keep the faith.&nbsp; 
 
Local authorities were relentlessly hostile to the church, he said. &quot;It`s because it`s an atheist country,&quot; he said. &quot;They&#39;re tricking ordinary people.&quot; 
 
Non-Catholics refuse to enter the church because of the stigma around Chapdelaine, he added.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;How could Father Ma be that bad? People think that just because of the propaganda, but it makes life difficult for us.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Missionary Auguste Chapdelaine's death was among the stated justifications for France's participation in the Second Opium War

To the Catholic Church, French missionary Auguste Chapdelaine is a saint, martyred for his faith 160 years ago in China. To Communist Party officials, he is a devilish rapist, bandit and spy. Finishing touches are being put to a new museum in Dingan, the village where he died, celebrating the "patriotism" of his execution and condemning the "spiritual opium" of religion. Inside, Catholic vestments and chalices are displayed near a life-sized diorama of a white-robed Chapdelaine kneeling before the Qing dynasty magistrate who had him tortured and killed. Outside, a six metre bronze mural shows the missionary confined in a cage designed to suffocate captives to death over several days. The facility is part of a local tourism drive, but also fits into the ruling party's nationalist narrative and comes as increasingly assertive authorities in Beijing decry the influence of "Western values". Chapdelaine was accused of fomenting insurrection, say independent historians Chapdelaine, born on a farm in Normandy, was ordained in his early twenties and sent in the early 1850s to the southern Chinese region of Guangxi, where he was known as 'Father Ma'. In 1856, he was arrested with several Chinese believers in Dingan by the newly appointed magistrate, Zhang Mingfeng. Foreigners were banned from entering the area and official suspicion of Christians was fuelled by the bloody Taiping rebellion, begun in Guangxi by a man claiming to be Jesus' brother and costing millions of lives. Independent historians say Chapdelaine was accused of fomenting insurrection, refused to pay a bribe, and died aged 42 following three days of torture. He was posthumously decapitated and his head hung from a tree. Chapdelaine's death was among the stated justifications for France's participation in the Second Opium War, which saw French and British troops loot Beijing`s Old Summer Palace and burn it to the ground, one of the national humiliations the Communist Party emphasises to support its legitimacy. In 2000, the Vatican canonised Chapdelaine and two of his executed followers as martyrs. In response, Chinese state media attacked the priest as a French spy and rapist of local women -- charges which scholars say have no historical grounding, but which have been given new life by the local government's publicity push. "He was evil," said a middle-aged man working at the project site who refused to give his name. "He was the reason you invaded us," he added. 'Father Ma was not a simple missionary' As well as the museum in Dingan, a dusty mountain village, local authorities mounted a poetry contest last year offering 1,000 Yuan ($150) prizes for couplets to "boost patriotic spirit" and praise magistrate Zhang as an "iron-willed hero". County officials have contracted a film company to produce a two-hour documentary on Chapdelaine for 3 million Yuan ($460,000). "Father Ma was not a simple missionary," the firm`s CEO Liang Shuikang told AFP. "His so-called `baptism` was taking other people`s wives and sleeping with them first," he underlined. "We are going to restore the true story of history," Shuikang said, adding the documentary`s goal was to have people remember China's sufferings and "make the motherland into a great power". Some scholars worry that history is being abused. There is no doubt Chapdelaine`s death was exploited for imperialist gain, but Anthony Clark, China historian at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, said the ruling party's version of history was "largely contrived". The ideas that Chapdelaine was "a lascivious womaniser" and spy in priest's robes were "unsupportable in any historical records", he added. "China's official state rhetoric has grown progressively nationalistic in recent years," Clark pointed out. 'Chapdelaine's killing violated Qing dynasty laws' Other scholars note that official records suggest Chapdelaine had been confused with a bandit, Ma Zinong, who shared the same Chinese surname. Chinese historians are also concerned. Yuan Weishi, historian and retired professor at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, said Chapdelaine's killing violated Qing dynasty laws and was "a shame to China". "Nationalist sentiment" had risen alongside China's economic growth and some academics felt obliged to follow official propaganda, he added. "They promote under the name of patriotism what they think are heroic deeds by China," he said, but doing so was "wrong and ignorant". In the cliffside village of Changjing, where Chapdelaine lived and preached a few kilometres from Dingan, the residents are still mostly Catholic and say they are puzzled by the publicity drive. "They believe he`s an evil man, but we don`t see him that way," said a young farmer named Yang. "How could he be a spy?" he questions. In Dingan itself, a priest named Father Wei leads a small, aging congregation of roughly 100 Catholics. Performing mass for ten believers in a church on the second floor of a building a short walk from the new museum, he offered a prayer for Chapdelaine, asking for strength to keep the faith. Local authorities were relentlessly hostile to the church, he said. "It`s because it`s an atheist country," he said. "They're tricking ordinary people." Non-Catholics refuse to enter the church because of the stigma around Chapdelaine, he added. "How could Father Ma be that bad? People think that just because of the propaganda, but it makes life difficult for us." (AFP)

French missionary 'saint' for Catholic Church, ' rapist' for Communist China

Pope Francis issued a decree on Saturday aimed at boosting transparency over Vatican finances, which have been under scrutiny since leaks of secret documents revealed serious irregularities that may have masked corruption. 
 
The move follows months of tension between the body charged with managing the Holy See&#39;s assets and the Vatican&#39;s powerful economy ministry. 
 
The Argentine pontiff&#39;s &quot;motu proprio&quot; reverses a 2014 bill which had transferred the competencies of the authority in charge of the Vatican&#39;s real estate,known as ASPA, to the Secretariat for the Economy, headed by finance czar Cardinal George Pell. 
 
It essentially left Pell&#39;s department both in charge of managing the assets and keeping watch over asset management. 
 
&quot;It is of the utmost importance that bodies responsible for vigilance are separated from those that are being overseen,&quot; Francis said in the new document published by the Vatican. 
 
The decree stresses that the Catholic Church&#39;s &quot;earthly assets&quot; are &quot;intended for divine worship, the honest maintenance of the clergy, the apostolate and works of charity, especially in service of the poor&quot;. 
 
It emphasises &quot;the need to pay the utmost attention to ensuring the administration of economic resources always serves these ends&quot;. 
 
It comes two days after a prelate and PR expert were found guilty of playing a role in leaking documents which revealed gross financial mismanagement within the Vatican bureaucracy that Francis inherited three years ago. 
 
Among the most striking revelations was that fewer than 20 per cent of donations made by believers around the world under the Peter&#39;s Pence scheme ended up being spent on good works. 
 
The rest was swallowed up by the Vatican bureaucracy, reportedly helping to subsidise the luxurious lifestyles of certain cardinals. 
 
Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli, writing in La Stampa&#39;s Vatican Insider supplement, said Francis had made a significant addition to the 2014 statute by including in his motu proprio the phrase &quot;on the basis of the criteria established by the Superior Authority&quot;. 
 
&quot;These words... reiterate the pope&#39;s role in assessing the transactions of greatest importance&quot;, limiting the reach of both Pell and Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, who is charge of APSA (the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See), Tornielli said. 
 
&quot;Francis trusts in the &#39;mutual collaboration of superiors of the two dicasteries (Vatican departments) concerned,&#39; in other words Pell and Calcagno,&quot; Tornielli said, describing the pontiff&#39;s reference to collaboration as &quot;significant.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

This comes two days after two were found guilty of leaking documents that revealed gross financial mismanagement within the Vatican

Pope Francis issued a decree on Saturday aimed at boosting transparency over Vatican finances, which have been under scrutiny since leaks of secret documents revealed serious irregularities that may have masked corruption. The move follows months of tension between the body charged with managing the Holy See's assets and the Vatican's powerful economy ministry. The Argentine pontiff's "motu proprio" reverses a 2014 bill which had transferred the competencies of the authority in charge of the Vatican's real estate,known as ASPA, to the Secretariat for the Economy, headed by finance czar Cardinal George Pell. It essentially left Pell's department both in charge of managing the assets and keeping watch over asset management. "It is of the utmost importance that bodies responsible for vigilance are separated from those that are being overseen," Francis said in the new document published by the Vatican. The decree stresses that the Catholic Church's "earthly assets" are "intended for divine worship, the honest maintenance of the clergy, the apostolate and works of charity, especially in service of the poor". It emphasises "the need to pay the utmost attention to ensuring the administration of economic resources always serves these ends". It comes two days after a prelate and PR expert were found guilty of playing a role in leaking documents which revealed gross financial mismanagement within the Vatican bureaucracy that Francis inherited three years ago. Among the most striking revelations was that fewer than 20 per cent of donations made by believers around the world under the Peter's Pence scheme ended up being spent on good works. The rest was swallowed up by the Vatican bureaucracy, reportedly helping to subsidise the luxurious lifestyles of certain cardinals. Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli, writing in La Stampa's Vatican Insider supplement, said Francis had made a significant addition to the 2014 statute by including in his motu proprio the phrase "on the basis of the criteria established by the Superior Authority". "These words... reiterate the pope's role in assessing the transactions of greatest importance", limiting the reach of both Pell and Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, who is charge of APSA (the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See), Tornielli said. "Francis trusts in the 'mutual collaboration of superiors of the two dicasteries (Vatican departments) concerned,' in other words Pell and Calcagno," Tornielli said, describing the pontiff's reference to collaboration as "significant." (AFP)

Pope reins in Vatican's economy minister after scandal

The Vatican hit back today at Turkey&#39;s depiction of Pope Francis as having a &quot;Crusader mentality&quot; after he used the word genocide to describe the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians a century ago. 
 
&quot;The pope is on no crusade. He is not trying to organise wars or build walls, but he wants to build bridges,&quot; spokesman father Federico Lombardi told reporters. &quot;He has not said a word against the Turkish people.&quot; 
 
Addressing Armenia&#39;s president, the government and diplomats on Friday, Francis departed from his prepared text to use the word &quot;genocide&quot;, a description that infuriated Turkey when he first used it a year ago. 
 
Turkey&#39;s Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Saturday it was &quot;very unfortunate&quot; the pope had used the word, adding: &quot;It is unfortunately possible to see all the reflections and traces of Crusader mentality in the actions of the papacy and the pope.&quot; 
 
Francis, who returns to Rome today after visiting a monastery near the border with Turkey, first used the word last year in a ceremony at the Vatican. An infuriated Turkey responded by recalling its ambassador to the Vatican and keeping him away for 10 months. 
 
Turkey accepts that many Christian Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War I, but contests the figures and denies that the killings were systematically orchestrated, and constitute a genocide. It also says many Muslim Turks perished at that time. 
 
Today morning, at the last main event of his three-day trip to Armenia, Francis again made reference to the massacre, paying homage to &quot;the many victims of hatred who suffered and gave their lives for the faith&quot;. 
 
Unusually for the pope, he was a guest in a Christian liturgy where someone else called &quot;His Holiness&quot; presided. 
 
The &quot;divine liturgy&quot; was presided over by Catholicos Karekin II, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which split from Rome over a theological dispute in the fifth century and is part of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. 
 
Francis sat to one side as Karekin led an elaborate service filled with chanting in the compound at Holy Etchmiadzin, the headquarters of the Armenian Church near Yerevan. 
 
The pope, who delighted his hosts by referring several times to the slaughters and visiting Yerevan&#39;s genocide memorial, has urged Armenia and Turkey to seek reconciliation and to shun &quot;the illusory power of vengeance&quot;. 
 
The dispute about the massacres and differences over Yerevan&#39;s support of the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan, have led to fraught relations that include closed borders and a lack of diplomatic ties. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

The Vatican defended saying he is not trying to 'organise wars or build walls, but wants to build bridges'.

The Vatican hit back today at Turkey's depiction of Pope Francis as having a "Crusader mentality" after he used the word genocide to describe the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians a century ago. "The pope is on no crusade. He is not trying to organise wars or build walls, but he wants to build bridges," spokesman father Federico Lombardi told reporters. "He has not said a word against the Turkish people." Addressing Armenia's president, the government and diplomats on Friday, Francis departed from his prepared text to use the word "genocide", a description that infuriated Turkey when he first used it a year ago. Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Saturday it was "very unfortunate" the pope had used the word, adding: "It is unfortunately possible to see all the reflections and traces of Crusader mentality in the actions of the papacy and the pope." Francis, who returns to Rome today after visiting a monastery near the border with Turkey, first used the word last year in a ceremony at the Vatican. An infuriated Turkey responded by recalling its ambassador to the Vatican and keeping him away for 10 months. Turkey accepts that many Christian Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire were killed in clashes with Ottoman forces during World War I, but contests the figures and denies that the killings were systematically orchestrated, and constitute a genocide. It also says many Muslim Turks perished at that time. Today morning, at the last main event of his three-day trip to Armenia, Francis again made reference to the massacre, paying homage to "the many victims of hatred who suffered and gave their lives for the faith". Unusually for the pope, he was a guest in a Christian liturgy where someone else called "His Holiness" presided. The "divine liturgy" was presided over by Catholicos Karekin II, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which split from Rome over a theological dispute in the fifth century and is part of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Francis sat to one side as Karekin led an elaborate service filled with chanting in the compound at Holy Etchmiadzin, the headquarters of the Armenian Church near Yerevan. The pope, who delighted his hosts by referring several times to the slaughters and visiting Yerevan's genocide memorial, has urged Armenia and Turkey to seek reconciliation and to shun "the illusory power of vengeance". The dispute about the massacres and differences over Yerevan's support of the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan, have led to fraught relations that include closed borders and a lack of diplomatic ties. (Reuters)

Vatican hits back at Turkey for calling pope 'crusader'

vatican

Vatican, News on Vatican, stories on Vatican, articles on Vatican, Vatican stories at Wion, Vatican news, Vatican latest news