"Pope Refuses Meeting with US Secretary Pompeo"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Local reports have emerged that Pope Francis refused to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is visiting the Vatican this week.

On the 28th (local time), according to the Italian daily La Repubblica and others, the Holy See informed the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See of this intention, concerned that it could be perceived as an attempt to influence the upcoming U.S. presidential election in two months.

However, local media analyzed that the refusal to meet was related to Pompeo’s recent publication of a critical article regarding the extension of the agreement on bishop appointments between the Holy See and China.

The agreement between the Holy See and China, concluded in September 2018, essentially involves the Chinese government recognizing the Pope as the supreme leader of the global Catholic Church, while the Holy See approves seven bishops appointed by the Chinese government. The Holy See is reportedly coordinating plans to extend this agreement one month before its expiration.

In this context, Secretary Pompeo contributed an article to the conservative American religious magazine First Things, openly criticizing the agreement between the Holy See and the Chinese government. He stated, "Since the agreement, the situation of Christians in China has significantly worsened," and added, "If the Holy See extends the agreement under these circumstances, its moral authority will be greatly diminished."

Neither the Holy See nor the U.S. Department of State has issued an official statement regarding this meeting.