Ambrose Mong
Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has advanced several episcopal appointments in China and entrusted new responsibilities to bishops who had already been ordained. Based on the Provisional Agreement of 2018 [2018年中梵臨時協議], the Holy See moved swiftly to approve and appoint several bishops to ensure continuity and unity in the Catholic Church in China.
Drawing on his years of missionary and pastoral service, the Pope Leo has shown particular concern that Catholics in China be able to practice their faith in peace, proclaim the Gospel, and help heal divisions that remain within the local Church. He has also emphasised the importance of safeguarding ecclesial communion and unity with the Successor of Peter as the visible guarantee of communion between the bishops and the universal Church.
On September 8, Archbishop Andrea Ding Yang 丁楊主教 [安德肋] was ordained as the Bishop of Chongqing, marking a significant milestone in the renewal of the Chinese Catholic Church and the implementation of the Vatican-China Provisional Agreement [Sunday Examiner, September 20].
Born on 16 September 1981, in Chongqing’s Hechuan District [重慶合川區], Archbishop Ding completed his initial seminary studies in Beijing from 2000 to 2006 and was ordained a priest on 24 May 2007, following pastoral training at St. Joseph Parish in Yuzhong [玳櫓聖흼慊]. He expanded his education with advanced theological studies at the University of St. Joseph in Macao [2009–2011] and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome [2014–2015]. Alongside his academic pursuits, he served as a formator at the National Seminary in Beijing [2012–2014].
His consecration is especially significant in the context of Chongqing’s complex episcopal situation following the death of Bishop Peter Luo Beizhan [羅北展] in March 2001. Pope Leo officially approved Archbishop Ding’s candidacy and appointed him on July 18. Presided over by Bishop Li Shan [李山主教] of Beijing, the ceremony was concelebrated by several Chinese bishops who served as co-consecrators. Approximately 350 priests, religious sisters and brothers, seminarians, and lay faithful attended the liturgy.
At 45 years of age, Archbishop Ding represents the emergence of a younger generation of bishops, including Bishop Ignatius Ding Zuyao [丁祖耀主教] of Haimen, who was born in 1986, and Bishop Joseph Chang Yanfeng [常彥峰主教] of Chifeng, who was born in 1984. This papal policy indicates that the current selection of episcopal candidates may shape the Chinese Church for decades to come. Episcopal vacancies and division within the Church in China affect the lives of the faithful.
It is hoped that this new generation of young bishops will bring greater continuity and unity to local Catholic communities, healing the wounds and confusion of the past. For Chongqing—a historic diocese in China—having a new bishop approved by both the pope and the government after 25 years brings hope for improved Sino-Vatican relations.
Since the signing of the Provisional Agreement in 2018, a total of 19 Chinese Catholic bishops have been ordained. Nine of these have take place place during the pontificate of Pope Leo. In addition to Archbishop Ding they include Bishop Ignatius Ding Zuyao [丁祖耀主教] of Haimen [海門教區], ordained on October 15; Bishop Paolo Liu Honggang [劉紅剛主教] of Datong in Shanxi Province [山西大同教區], ordained on August 31; Coadjutor Bishop Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun [段永昆主教] of Bameng in Inner Mongolia [内蒙古巴盟教區], ordained on July 29, and Bishop Joseph Chang Yanfeng [常彥峰主教] of of Chifeng in Inner Mongolia, ordained on July 22.
All these episcopal ordinations took place within the framework of the 2018 Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the Chinese government. Having received the approval of Pope Leo, they reflect the ongoing diplomatic efforts and delicate ecclesial negotiations surrounding the appointment of Church leadership in China.
Earlier appointments and consecrations include Bishop Francis Li Jianlin [李建林主教], who was appointed by the pope on 11 August 2025, and ordained for the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang in Henan province [河南新鄉宗座監牧區] on 5 December 2025; Auxiliary Bishop Ignatius Wu Jianlin [吳建林輔理主教], also appointed on 11 August 2025, and consecrated for the Archdiocese of Shanghai [上海總教區] on 15 October 2025; Bishop Joseph Wang Zhengui [王振貴主教], who was consecrated on 10 September 2025, to lead the newly erected Diocese of Zhangjiakou [叩家口教區] following Pope Leo’s decision on 8 July 2025, to suppress and merge the historic dioceses of Xuanhua [宣化教區] and Xiwanzi [西湾子教區]; and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan [林運團理主教], who, after being clandestinely consecrated on 28 December 2017, received an official papal appointment as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Fuzhou on 5 June 2025, followed by civil recognition and official
Pope Leo’s policy towards China focuses on healing historic divisions while emphasising papal authority over the Chinese Churchinstallation on 11 June 2025
Pope Leo’s policy towards China focuses on healing historic divisions while emphasising papal authority over the Chinese Church. Given the long-standing tension between Vatican authority and the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the pope has moved swiftly to advance episcopal appointments and regularisations within the framework of the 2018 Vatican-China Provisional Agreement.
Through diplomacy and goodwill, he seeks to bridge the divide between the official and unregistered Catholic communities. Pope Leo’s pragmatic approach promotes ecclesial unity and helps heal the wounds and confusion of the past, while maintaining the delicate relationship between the Holy See and the Chinese government.
In sum, Pope Leo has acted decisively to address longstanding complex episcopal situation in China, strengthening leadership in dioceses that had remained without bishops [or government recognised bishops] for decades.
By approving appointments in key dioceses, including Chongqing, he has helped restore stable governance and provided opportunities for a new generation of bishops capable of navigating the complex relationship between Church and state.
At the same time, the pope has reinforced papal authority through the framework of the Vatican-China Provisional Agreement. While local Chinese bodies may nominate candidates, the pope retains the final authority to approve or reject episcopal appointments.
Through diplomacy and goodwill, he seeks to bridge the divide between the official and unregistered Catholic communities. Pope Leo’s pragmatic approach promotes ecclesial unity and helps heal the wounds and confusion of the past, while maintaining the delicate relationship between the Holy See and the Chinese government
By acting decisively on pending nominations, he ensures that all bishops receive an explicit apostolic mandate, safeguarding the Holy See’s role as the ultimate source of ecclesial authority.
His policy also promotes reconciliation between China’s official and unofficial Catholic communities. The regularisation of previously unrecognised bishops, such as those ordained privately in earlier years, has enabled their integration into the Church’s official structures while securing civil recognition where possible.
This process helps heal long-standing divisions and strengthens sacramental and ecclesial unity among Chinese Catholics.
More broadly, Pope Leo’s approach reflects a diplomatic pragmatism rooted in long-term vision. By advancing appointments and regularisations while cooperation with Beijing remains possible, he seeks to institutionalise unity in both law and practice, ensuring the Church’s governance is resilient today and going forward.
His efforts aim to ensure that the Catholic Church in China functions in full communion with Rome while maintaining a constructive relationship with the Chinese government, striking a delicate balance that opens space for future pastoral growth and deeper reconciliation.
In his Sino -Vatican policy, Pope Leo is building a durable bridge over historical divides.
