Pope appoints new bishop in China, bringing a 70-year vacancy to an end

Father Thaddeus Wang Yuesheng was consecrated bishop of Zhengzhou, China, on Thursday, bringing an end to a 70-year-long sede vacante. 

The Holy See Press Office announced on Thursday morning that Wang was appointed by Pope Francis as the bishop of Zhengzhou on Dec. 16, 2023. The report noted that the decision took place “in the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.”  

The Vatican Fides News Agency, which is part of the Dicastery for Evangelization, added that his appointment “was also favored by the...