Report: Pope Francis Sought to Meet with Xi Jinping, but China Declined

Catholic News Agency ^ | 9/16/22 | Jonah McKeown

[marshmallow]

Denver Newsroom, Sep 16, 2022 / 12:00 pm Pope Francis expressed his “availability” to meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping while both men were in Kazakhstan this week, but China declined, according to a Reuters report citing an unnamed Vatican official.

Pope Francis was in Nur-Sultan, the Kazakh capital formerly known as Astana, Sept. 13–15 for an interreligious meeting, while Xi was in the same city to meet with Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, one day after the pope did.

According to Reuters, the source said the Vatican made “an expression of availability,” and the Chinese side said they “appreciated the gesture” but that there was no free time in Xi’s schedule.

A meeting of the two leaders would have been momentous; there has never been a meeting between a pope and a president of China. Pope Francis has said he is willing to visit China, saying on the flight from Rome to Kazakhstan on Sept. 13: “I’m always ready to go to China.”

[SmokingJoe]

Good for China.

[nickcarraway]

Maybe if Pope Francis killed a few Uyghurs, he could get on the calendar?

[nickcarraway]

It’s sad: All his simping for Xi, and he gets denied.

[algore]

I am not sure if I would meet with the Pope.

I would have to think about it.

Probably I would not since the guy really creeps me out

[John W]

Happens a lot to wannabes.

[Blurb2350]

And Putin refused to take Macron’s phonecall only today.

[ifinnegan]

Your comment came out wrong.

[ifinnegan]

But you’d meet with Xi?

[ifinnegan]

Xi has arrested and is prosecuting an 80 year old Cardinal, Cardinal Zen.

The Pope won’t even stand up for the Cardinal.

[Nateman]

Was he too much of a Commie for Xi?

[SmokingJoe]

Lets just say I wouldn't meet this fake “Pope” even with a gun at my head.
This “Pope” is a direct disciple of Satan.

[ifinnegan]

That’s not the question. Xi is just as satanic. But more powerful.

[SmokingJoe]

No it doesn’t.

[SmokingJoe]

Xi should be far more powerful. He controls the biggest military on the planet, biggest population country, second biggest GDP country and the world's biggest exporter, and a nuclear arsenal.
And I'd meet Xi rathar than this evil “Pope” any day.
We’ve always known what the Chinese government is like. Its far better than it used to be in the 50’s and the 60’s.
Think Chairman Mao and the Cultural Revolution.
And I've seen plenty of Popes. Nothing as evil as the current one who keeps setting new records in evil doing.

[ifinnegan]

Ok ChiCom admirer.

[ifinnegan]

You mean didn’t.

[circlecity]

China knows the pope has been bought and paid for. No need to meet with him.