Chinese Communist-approved cardinal took part in papal election. Why is no one talking about this?

The conclave that elected the first American pope had another first that few have heard about: a voting cardinal named Stephen Chow who was approved for his current position by the Chinese Communist Party, pursuant to a 2018 pact between the Party and the Vatican. He is, by Chinese law, obliged to “support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party” as part of the CCP’s United Front Work Department. That’s its entity charged with conducting global propaganda and influence operations.

ChinaAid Urges Vatican to End Secret Agreement with Communist China, Stop Compromising with the Persecutors

Midland, Texas (May 29, 2025) — ChinaAid expresses deep concern over the ongoing secrecy and consequences of the 2018 Vatican-China agreement. Since its signing, religious persecution in China, particularly against Catholics, has escalated, not diminished. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to tighten its control over religious life while the Vatican remains publicly silent.

Chinese Communist Party Government Rewrites Portions of the Bible

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) government is rewriting portions of the Bible in an effort to increase its control over religion in country, according to U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI).  In a meeting of the House Select Committee on the CCP, Rep. Gallagher stated that Chairman Xi Jinping is on a “quest to make the faithful serve the party rather than God.”

Holy See: Review Vatican-China Agreement

(London) – The new Pope, Leo XIV, should direct an urgent review of the Vatican’s 2018 agreement with the Chinese government that allows Beijing to appoint bishops for government-approved houses of worship, Human Rights Watch said today. He should also press the government to end the persecution of underground churches, clergy, and worshipers.

Nine Days of Prayer for the Catholic Church in China

St. Joseph was officially named the patron saint of China in 1924 during the first council of Chinese ecclesial affairs. The Catholic Faith has been present in China since the 1600s, long before the establishment of Communism. First and foremost, it is essential to understand the CCP’s ultimate objective regarding the Catholic Church. According to … Read more