Cardinal thinks Pope will fight graft

A Hong Kong cardinal criticised former pope Benedict for compromising too much on Sino-Vatican relations, which he says have led to the weakening of mainland Catholic churches.

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, 81, speaking yesterday at a Baptist University forum, said he was full of hope about the new pope.

He believed Pope Francis would not make too many concessions and would do the right thing with regard to Sino-Vatican ties and in fighting corruption in churches on the mainland.

But he also questioned if Beijing would show sincerity in improving its relationship with the Holy See.

The Vatican is the only European state that maintains diplomatic ties with Taipei instead of Beijing.

Beijing-Vatican ties were strained in recent years when the mainland's officially sanctioned church, the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, appointed bishops without papal approval. In 2007, the Holy See denounced the association as incompatible with church doctrine.