Beijing to seek better ties under new pope
State-sanctioned church mourns loss, but grief is deeper in unofficial parishes
Beijing yesterday expressed its condolences over the Pope's death and said it hoped Sino-Vatican ties would improve under his successor.
'We express condolences for the passing of Pope John Paul II,' Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao was quoted by Xinhua as saying. 'We hope that under the leadership of the new pope, favorable conditions for improving China-Vatican relations can be made.'
Mr Liu reiterated that the Vatican must meet two conditions for normalising ties. Beijing has said it must sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan and promise not to interfere in the mainland's internal affairs, including religious affairs.
Meanwhile, officially sanctioned Catholic groups also wrote to the Holy See to express deep sorrow on the part of China's 5 million Catholics. They also advised all mainland parishes to pray for the Pope and hold memorial services.
Beijing broke ties with the Holy See in 1951 and the Vatican is Taiwan's only 'diplomatic' ally in Europe.
Mainland church sources said the successor to the Pope would pursue the unfinished task of normalising ties with Beijing.
Cardinal Godfried Daneels of Belgium arrived in Beijing last Monday and was received by Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu in the Zhongnanhai government compound on Thursday. As news emerged that the Pope was nearing his final hours, Cardinal Daneels cancelled his scheduled visit to Shenyang , Xian and Shanghai to return to Europe.
Cardinal Daneels, a favourite of moderates in the Catholic Church, is considered by Vatican watchers as one of the main candidates to be the new pope.
Chinese Catholics yesterday mourned the passing of the Pope in a subdued manner.
At Beijing's South Cathedral, many parishioners first heard the news when they arrived for Sunday mass.
South Cathedral is the seat of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which has kept its distance from the Holy See, but the clergy spoke movingly of the Pope and the void he has left.
'We hope the dear old man prays for us in heaven,' said Father Peter Zhao Jianmin .
A special mass for the Pope will be held at the cathedral today.
There was more obvious grief in the underground church, which has as many followers as the 5 million to 6 million official faithful. Some estimates put the number of worshippers as high as 10 million.
A source reached by phone from a city in Hebei noted that the pontiff's death came when the underground church was under increasing pressure to register and submit to government controls. 'It is a very sad moment and everyone's hearts are heavy,' he said.
