The Vatican and China have reached an agreement to extend the provisional deal regarding the appointment of Catholic bishops in China for an additional four years.

This extension marks a significant development in the relationship between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, building upon the historic agreement first established in 2018. The deal, which has been extended twice before, aims to bridge the longstanding differences over the control of the Catholic Church in China.

It allows for a process of appointing bishops that involves both the Pope’s authority and the Chinese government’s participation. This renewal signifies a mutual commitment to maintaining dialogue and improving bilateral relations, which is seen as beneficial for the Catholic community in China and the Chinese people as a whole.

In a statement, the Vatican said it was hoping for “further development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the Catholic Church in China and the Chinese people as a whole”.

Speaking last month at the end of a tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania, Francis said the results of the 2018 deal “are good”.

“I am happy with the dialogue with China,” Pope Francis said. “We are working with good will.”

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