The social unrest and divisions in general Hong Kong society have carried over to the Catholic community, said Cardinal John Tong Hon, who encouraged Catholics instead to follow what Jesus taught in the beatitudes.

About 10 days before he was expected in Rome, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that the Vatican "endangers its moral authority" by considering an extension of its 2018 agreement with China on the nomination of bishops.

Vatican officials have publicly defended the agreement with enthusiasm. Privately, they are more sober in their analysis.

One can compare the film’s Chinese nationalism to jingoistic American movies by directors like Michael Bay.

In a sermon, Hong Kong's cardinal warns against the clergy getting entangled in the political arena.

The deal may protect Chinese Catholics—but it also might muffle Pope Francis’ voice on human rights.