‘A heartfelt greeting to the noble Chinese people’

At the end of Holy Mass in Ulaanbaatar’s Steppe Arena on Sunday, 3 September, Pope Francis invited Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, and Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow Sau-yan, sj , Bishop of Hong Kong, to join him at the altar. He then extended a greeting to “the noble Chinese people”, and encouraged Chinese Catholics “to be good Christians and good citizens”. The following is the English text of the Holy Father’s greeting.

I would like to take this opportunity, in the presence of these two brother bishops — the Emeritus of Hong Kong and the current Bishop of Hong Kong — to send a heartfelt greeting to the noble Chinese people. I send my good wishes to them all: always move forward, always advance! And to Chinese Catholics: I ask you to be good Christians and good citizens. To all of you, thank you.