Publié le 26/06/2014
Raphaël MCFEAT

The Catholic Church in China is divided into two branches: one is encompassed within the Communist Party and is largely independent of Rome; the other comes under the Pope’s authority and is tormented by Beijing’s government, which entirely rejects its authority.

The replacement of Benedict XVI by Francis has raised hopes that relations between the Apostolic See and China will improve. However, it is likely that the new Pope will show the same firmness as his predecessor with regard to Beijing.

Article published in Politique étrangère, Vol. 79, No. 2, Summer 2014 [1]