Pope Leo approves reordering of Chinese dioceses, appoints new bishop

Suppression of two mainland sees with papal approval is a Leonine ‘first’

Pope Leo XIV has suppressed two dioceses in mainland China, and erected a new diocese with a new bishop, the Vatican announced September 10, a move suggesting a new level of cooperation between China and the Vatican on mainland Church affairs.

Xishiku Church, Beijing, China. Image via Shutterstock.

The announcement represents the first occasion under Pope…