Cardinal of Hong Kong: Leo XIV would like to make a pastoral visit to China

Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, Bishop of Hong Kong since 2021, said that Pope Leo XIV wants to “make a pastoral visit to China.”

“He told me that he would like to make a pastoral visit to China. I ask them to pray for him, so he can make the unfulfilled dream of Pope Francis,” said the Jesuit prelate.

“I think he is not alien to Chinese culture. It would be very significant that he could make a pastoral visit to China as Pope, so I ask them to pray for that dream,” he said during the homily of the Mass held on May 22 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Hong Kong.

According to the agency FidesCardinal Chow explained that the Pontiff made this confession after the start of the Petrino Ministry held in the Plaza de San Pedro.

“Now, Pope Francis is in heaven, praying for us and our church in China. He always longed to visit China and meet our brothers and sisters there … now we pray that his successor, as the successor of St. Peter, one day he steps on the Chinese soil as Pope,” added the cardinal in his homily a few days ago.

In the same celebration, Cardinal Chow also made a strong call to mutual understanding within the Church in China: “Let’s not judge or generalize the people of the official or clandestine church. Only they know the circumstances that influence their decisions, and only the Lord can see their hearts.”

He added: “Be merciful, as their father is merciful … they do not judge, and they will not be judged.”

Finally, he entrusted the life of faith of the Chinese people to the protection of the Virgin: “Our Lady of China, and Mary Help of Christians of Sheshan, is and will always be with the people of God in continental China.”

At the end of the liturgy, the Assembly brought together the prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan, written by Pope Benedict XVI, asking for God’s blessing especially the Chinese people.

Last Sunday, May 25, Pope Leo XIV remembered precisely the day of prayer for the Church in China, which is celebrated every May 24, coinciding with the liturgical memory of the Virgin Mary, aid of the Christians, especially revered in the Sanctuary of Sheshan, near Shanghai.

On this day, instituted by Benedict XVI, “in the churches, in the sanctuaries of China and throughout the world prayers to God rose as a sign of affection by Chinese Catholics and their communion with the universal church,” he said.

Thus, she asked the Virgin to “obtain for them and for us the grace of being strong and joyful witnesses of the gospel, even in the midst of the evidence, to always promote peace and harmony.”

Although Hong Kong formally maintains a differentiated regime with respect to continental China under the principle of “a country, two systems”, full religious freedom is not guaranteed.

The margin of action of religious communities has decreased considerably, especially since the promulgation of National Security Law in 2020.

As the Rights Observatory in the country has denounced on several occasions, Hong Kong Watchin recent years the surveillance of activities considered “politically sensitive” has increased and has led to greater self -censorship between religious and faithful leaders.