Pope Francis has sent messages of good will to China, but the affections may not be returned.
Francis asked China to open new talks between the Vatican and Beijing officials, but China is worried the pope will "interfere" with China's religion.
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China, however, has been more cautious. The country's Catholic Patriotic Association issued a statement that China "will always safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity," saying that the organization "never allows foreign forces to interfere with religion."
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