Catholic News Agency
Date: May 10, 2018
By: Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, May 10, 2018 / 10:29 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The bishops of the Republic
The flags of the Republic of China and the Vatican. Credit: FreshStock/Shutterstock.
of China, also known as Taiwan, arrived in Rome earlier this week ahead of meetings with the pope and other Vatican officials – the first such visit in 10 years, and their first meeting with Francis since his election.
The delegation of seven bishops will meet with the pope next week for an ad limina visit – a customary meeting for diocesan bishops to give an update on the state of their dioceses – which typically takes place every five years.
The bishops of Taiwan last made an ad limina visit in December 2008 with Benedict XVI.
The bishops have brought two gifts for the pope: a painting by Giuseppe Castiglione, an Italian missionary to China who served as a painter in the court of three emperors in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and a painting titled “Merciful Sun Shines on Taiwan,” by Tawanese artist Chia Shen-chen. [FULL STORY]