Vatican China Churches

Pope Francis on Sunday told Catholics in China to be "good Christians and good citizens", using his visit to Mongolia to help ease tensions between the Vatican and Beijing.

A secretive deal between the Vatican and Beijing is up for renewal later this year as concerns grow about China's rights record and its tightening grip on churches and clergy.

Hackers linked to the Chinese government have infiltrated Vatican computer networks, including the Roman Catholic Church's Hong Kong-based representative, a USfirm that tracks state-backed cyber attacks said on Wednesday.

Hackers linked to the Chinese government have infiltrated Vatican computer networks, including the Roman Catholic Church's Hong Kong-based representative, said a US firm that tracks state-backed cyber-attacks.

Representatives from the Vatican and China are expected to meet before the end of the month in Rome in an effort to finalise a deal on the ordination of bishops on the mainland, a move aimed at ending a longstanding dispute, according to Catholic Church sources familiar with the negotiations.

The head of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong has said the Chinese government is willing to reach an "understanding" with the Vatican over the contentious issue of the appointment of bishops.

On his way to South Korea, Pope Francis will get a rare opportunity to directly address China's leadership as he flies over the country, whose communist government does not allow Catholics to recognise his authority.

Pope Francis on Wednesday urged Catholics in China to remain loyal to the Vatican, whose authority is challenged by China's Communist rulers.

Pope Francis on Sunday told Catholics in China to be "good Christians and good citizens", using his visit to Mongolia to help ease tensions between the Vatican and Beijing.

A secretive deal between the Vatican and Beijing is up for renewal later this year as concerns grow about China's rights record and its tightening grip on churches and clergy.

Hackers linked to the Chinese government have infiltrated Vatican computer networks, including the Roman Catholic Church's Hong Kong-based representative, a USfirm that tracks state-backed cyber attacks said on Wednesday.

Hackers linked to the Chinese government have infiltrated Vatican computer networks, including the Roman Catholic Church's Hong Kong-based representative, said a US firm that tracks state-backed cyber-attacks.

Representatives from the Vatican and China are expected to meet before the end of the month in Rome in an effort to finalise a deal on the ordination of bishops on the mainland, a move aimed at ending a longstanding dispute, according to Catholic Church sources familiar with the negotiations.

The head of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong has said the Chinese government is willing to reach an "understanding" with the Vatican over the contentious issue of the appointment of bishops.

On his way to South Korea, Pope Francis will get a rare opportunity to directly address China's leadership as he flies over the country, whose communist government does not allow Catholics to recognise his authority.

Pope Francis on Wednesday urged Catholics in China to remain loyal to the Vatican, whose authority is challenged by China's Communist rulers.