Pope: Vatican-China relations need more work to be improved

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – On his flight home from Mongolia, Pope Francis said the Vatican’s relations with China were going well but work must still be done to show Beijing that the Catholic Church isn’t beholden to a foreign power.

The Associated Press reports that relations are strained over a 5 year accord on nominating Catholic bishops .

The terms are not public, but Beijing has made some bishop appointments without papal consent, which is an apparent violation of the agreement.

The Pope said more work needed to be done so Chinese citizens understood the church accepts their culture and values.