South China Morning Post reported on September 22, that China and the Vatican have reached a historic agreement on the appointment of Chinese bishops, with Pope Francis recognising seven clerics ordained by Beijing without the approval of the Holy See.  The Vatican said the “provisional” deal, which is concerned with how bishops are appointed in China, was “not political but pastoral”. In a statement the Vatican said “Pope Francis hopes that, with these decisions, a new process may begin that will allow the wounds of the past to be overcome, leading to the full communion of all Chinese Catholics.” It said “With a view to sustaining the proclamation of the Gospel in China, the Holy Father Pope Francis has decided to readmit to full ecclesial communion the remaining ‘official’ Bishops, ordained without Pontifical Mandate”.

(Comment: China and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951, two years after the founding of the PRC.)