Pope Leo XIV, within his first month of office, has appointed a Chinese bishop, indicating a commitment to continue the efforts to improve the relationship between the Vatican and China. The bishop Lin Yunduan has been assigned as the auxiliary bishop of the Fuzhou Diocese in Fujian Province. This appointment reflects a commitment to the historic agreement on bishop appointments established in 2018 between Pope Francis and the Chinese government.

The agreement allows for some input from Chinese officials regarding bishop appointments, although the specific terms have never been fully disclosed to the public. China insists that bishop appointments must receive state approval, which contradicts the Catholic Church's stance that the Pope should have the final say. There are millions of Catholics in China, facing a choice between attending the state-sanctioned church or secretly congregating in an underground church loyal to the Vatican.

On Wednesday, the Vatican confirmed that Lin Yunduan's ministry is recognized by Chinese law, stating, 'This event is another outcome of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities and represents an important step in the communion of dioceses.'

In a statement on Thursday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson indicated that this appointment demonstrates the smooth implementation of the 2018 agreement and expressed China's willingness to continue improving relations with the Vatican.

Scholars note that this appointment appears to be functioning within the framework of the agreement, suggesting that Pope Leo XIV may act within this context for the foreseeable future.