The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Holy See’s top diplomats had a “respectful” exchange of views on China, the Vatican said on Thursday.

Responding to questions from journalists, Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, said that Pompeo discussed China with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, on October 1.

He said: “During this morning’s talks … the parties presented their respective positions regarding relations with the People’s Republic of China in a respectful, relaxed, and cordial atmosphere.”

“There was also discussion of some areas of conflict and crisis, particularly the Caucasus, the Middle East, and the Eastern Mediterranean. The meeting lasted about 45 minutes.”

The meeting, also attended by Callista Gingrich, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, took place the day after Pompeo spoke at a symposium on religious freedom in Rome.

“Nowhere is religious freedom under assault more than it is inside of China today,” the secretary said on September 30, appealing for the Church to speak out on behalf of those whose religious freedom is being curtailed.

Pompeo’s intervention came as the Vatican prepared to renew its provisional agreement with China over the appointment of bishops. The deal, signed in 2018, will expire on October 22.

In a September 18 essay at First Things, Pompeo argued that the agreement had failed to protect Catholics from the Chinese Communist Party’s crackdown on believers.

The Italian newspaper La Stampa reported that, after Wednesday’s symposium on religious freedom, Gallagher affirmed that Pompeo’s visit sought to exploit the pope during the U.S. election campaign. But journalists present when the comments were made said that it was the reporter, not the archbishop, who used the word “exploit.” Gallagher responded by saying: “Well, that’s one of the reasons why the Holy Father is not receiving the Secretary of State.”

While the pope does not always meet with foreign ministers visiting the Vatican, the Holy See has reportedly told U.S. diplomats that the pope did not want to meet with an American political figure so close to the November presidential election.

The U.S. Secretary of State, an evangelical Christian, also met members of the Catholic Community of Sant’Edigio on October 1. The Italian daily newspaper Avvenire reported that Pompeo praised the community for its peace-making work, especially in South Sudan.

“It is an honor for me to be here, a real blessing,” Avvenire quoted Pompeo as saying.

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