China conveys condolences after death of Pope Francis, seeks closer Vatican ties

Pope Francis Leaves Behind Legacy of Controversial Rapprochement With China

Global tributes poured in following the death of Pope Francis on Monday, as world leaders and admirers of all faiths mourn a figure of peace in a time of growing conflict. However, as Italy’s Corriere della Sera bitterly noted, Chinese media largely ignored the pope’s death, with most Chinese newspapers relegating that news to short briefs buried behind front pages saturated in Xi Jinping hagiography. Nectar Gan at CNN described how the China’s …

Francis is dead, the Sedisvacance has begun. Even before the funeral, many people start asking who will become the next Pontiff. Only one thing is really clear at the moment: it becomes an older man.

China conveys condolences after death of Pope Francis, seeks closer Vatican ties

Future of relations remains uncertain, analysts warn, given unresolved issues and possible policy shifts under the next pope.

Responding to a journalist's question, the Foreign Ministry spokesman praised “constructive contacts and useful exchanges” between China and the Holy See. But in the name of “sinicization”, no official Chinese Catholic website talks about the death of the pontiff (unlike what happened with Benedict XVI). The crux of the presence of Chinese bishops at Francis' funeral.

The EU is outraged by China's reaction to the death of Pope Francis: EADaily

EADaily, April 22nd, 2025. The Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera described the reaction of the Chinese media to the death of the Pope. It was noted that the Chinese reacted to this topic differently than most of the world's media.

In the Vatican the preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis are in full swing – and also for the election of the new Pope. Three Germans belong to the conclave that elects the next Pontiff. All news in the live ticker.