Pope Leo XIV has made his first appointment of a Chinese bishop under the controversial 2018 Vatican-China agreement, signaling that he intends to continue the diplomatic approach initiated by Pope Francis. On June 5, 2025, Leo appointed Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou, a nomination that was promptly recognized by Chinese authorities. The Vatican described this recognition as a positive outcome of ongoing dialogue between the Holy See and Beijing, marking a significant step in the local church’s development.
The 2018 agreement, which Pope Francis endorsed despite criticism from conservative factions within the Church, sought to resolve the long-standing conflict over bishop appointments—a key sticking point since the Communist Party severed diplomatic ties with the Vatican decades ago. China had insisted on exclusive control over bishop nominations as a matter of sovereignty, while the Vatican maintained the pope’s sole authority to appoint successors to the Apostles. This divide led to a split among China’s estimated 12 million Catholics, between the state-sanctioned church that rejected papal authority and an underground church loyal to Rome despite persecution.
The deal aimed to unify these factions by regularizing the status of bishops appointed without Vatican approval and easing tensions between the two sides. Although the full terms remain confidential, the agreement grants the Chinese government a role in selecting bishops, while the pope retains veto power. Since its inception, the accord has been renewed periodically, most recently in late 2024, despite ongoing challenges such as unilateral bishop appointments by Beijing without papal consent.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, faces the delicate task of balancing the Vatican’s diplomatic engagement with China against criticism that the agreement compromises the underground church and concedes too much to Beijing. Recent incidents, including China’s unilateral elections of bishops during the papal interregnum, have underscored the fragile nature of the arrangement. Nevertheless, Leo’s appointment of Bishop Lin demonstrates his willingness to uphold the dialogue and continue navigating this complex relationship.
This move reflects the Vatican’s broader strategy to protect the rights and spiritual welfare of Chinese Catholics while maintaining a working relationship with the Chinese government. As the situation evolves, Pope Leo XIV’s decisions on the accord will remain a closely watched indicator of the Holy See’s approach to religious freedom and diplomacy in China.
