Pope Francis avoids offence in greetings to Hong Kong, Beijing and Taipei

Diplomatic good wishes from above for Carrie Lam, Xi Jinping and Tsai Ing-wen as pontiff flies over on his way to Japan

No mention of Hong Kong unrest or other contentious issues in papal telegrams

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Pope Francis sent goodwill messages to the leaders in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:55pm, 23 Nov 2019Updated: 11:22pm, 23 Nov 2019

Pope Francis sent a greeting to embattled Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor as he was flying from Thailand to Japan, wishing her peace without mentioning the political turmoil she is facing.

“As I fly over your territory I extend my best wishes to your excellency and your fellow citizens,” he wrote. “Invoking divine blessings, I pray that almighty God may grant you all well-being and peace.”

In addition to Lam, the Pope sent similarly diplomatic telegrams to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

To Xi, the Pope sent his cordial greetings as he was flying over Hainan island.

“I assure you of my prayers for the nation and its people, invoking upon all of you abundant blessings of peace and joy,” he said.

And as he flew over Taiwan, he sent a message to Tsai which read: “Assuring you of my prayers for all the people of Taiwan, I invoke abundant divine blessings of peace.”

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