China has extended congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, following his election on Tuesday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed hope for continued dialogue between China and the Vatican under the new Pope’s leadership. He emphasized the importance of constructive engagement on global issues and cooperation in advancing mutual interests.
The Vatican’s announcement of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV comes as Beijing and the Holy See maintain a four-year extension of their 2024 provisional agreement on bishop appointments. This deal, aimed at guiding the selection of Catholic bishops in China—home to around 12 million Catholics—underscores both parties’ willingness to maintain diplomatic progress and foster global peace and stability.
