Hong Kong may be where his heart lies but for Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, who has arrived in Rome to meet the Pope today, the Holy See is home.
'Coming back to Rome is like going home for me,' said the cardinal-designate as he carried his sisters' luggage into his lodgings at the headquarters of the Salesian order, of which he is a member.
'I am here to listen to the Holy Father and to accept whatever mission he gives me. But I also hope to help improve Sino-Vatican relations,' said Cardinal Zen, who will attend a papal consistory in which he and 14 other clerics from around the globe will formally receive their red hats.
'The Holy Father loves China and people in China. Let's hope that thousands of Chinese pilgrims can come and visit the Vatican in the future,' he said, adding that he was hopeful diplomatic relations would improve.
For the 100-plus members of the entourage who accompanied the 74-year-old cardinal, none was happier than his sisters Mary, 83, and Maria, who is in her late 60s, to see their brother receive one of the most senior positions in the church.
'My brother is very happy and I am happy for him too,' Maria said. 'Whatever he did, he only did it for the welfare of others.'
