Pope Leo recalls 100th anniversary of consecration of first Chinese bishops

November 06, 2026

Pope Leo XIV recalled the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the first native Chinese bishops in a video message to a conference that commemorated the occasion.

The Dicastery for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization) organized the conference, in collaboration with the Pontifical Urbaniana University. The conference, entitled “The Face of the Universal Church in China: 100 Years Since the Consecration of the First Chinese Bishops,” took place on November 5.

“In 1919, in the Apostolic Letter Maximum illud, Pope Benedict XV had reiterated the clear principle that the missionary work of the Church cannot be confused with processes of colonization and the exportation of ideas or cultural models,” Pope Leo recalled. “In fact, the seed of the Gospel is brought to grow wherever it is sown, not through human strategies, but by the grace of God. And the Church, which is born of mission and the first proclamation of the Gospel, is happy to take on the characteristics and nuances of the people and nations among whom she is called to bear witness to Christ in charity.”

“A hundred years ago, the journey of six men, who travelled from China to Rome to become bishops of the Catholic Church, kindled joy and pride in so many of their compatriots, consigning mistrust, suspicion and hostility to oblivion,” the Pontiff concluded. “Today, in a world torn apart by conflicts and overwhelmed by wars, the Bride of Christ continues the same mission, praying that, in the face of every threat, the Lord may safeguard the treasure of ecclesial communion, a fruitful source of goodness and peace for all.”

 

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Further information:

• Video Message of the Holy Father on the occasion of the International Conference organized by the Dicastery for Evangelization (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 11/5/26)
• Video Message of the Holy Father on the occasion of the International Conference (Holy See Press Office, 11/5/26)