In a brief statement on Tuesday, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry expressed condolences over the passing of Pope Francis, the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church who died Monday at the age of 88.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun highlighted that China and the Vatican have maintained constructive engagement in recent years, conducting "useful exchanges" that paved the way for continued dialogue.
"China stands ready to work with the Vatican for continued improvement of China-Vatican ties," Guo said, underscoring Beijing’s willingness to deepen cooperation on cultural and religious engagement.
Addressing questions about the Vatican’s ties with Taiwan, Guo reaffirmed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China. "We hope relevant countries will see where the arc of history bends and come back to the right path of upholding the one-China principle," he added.
As the world reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis—known for his focus on compassion, social justice and interfaith dialogue—China’s outreach signals a readiness to explore new avenues of collaboration with the Holy See.
For young global citizens, business leaders and travelers alike, this moment marks both a tribute to a global religious leader and a reminder of the delicate balance in international diplomacy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
