US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets Cardinal Parolin

Mike Pompeo

Source: Vatican News

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, at the Vatican yesterday.

Responding to questions from journalists, the Director of the Holy See's Press Office, Matteo Bruni, said: "During this morning's talks between the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Michael Richard Pompey, and His Holiness' Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, the parties presented their respective positions regarding relations with the People's Republic of China, in a respectful, relaxed and cordial environment. They also spoke about some areas of conflict and crisis, particularly in the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Eastern Mediterranean. The meeting lasted about 45 minutes."

The Vatican announced earlier that Mr Pompeo was not given an audience with the Holy Father, because the Pope does not receive politicians during an election campaign.

In recents statements and comments, Pompeo has been critical of the Catholic Church, saying it had risked its "moral authority"by plans to renew an agreement with "the horrifying Chinese government" regarding the appointment of bishops.

Cardinal Parolin has repeatedly stated that the planned agreement is pastoral, not political in character, and is aimed only at ensuring that the Chinese bishops are in full communion with the Successor of Peter.