BEIJING, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Thawing relations between China and the Vatican has led to the consecration of a bishop in Beijing tacitly approved by the pope.
Joseph Li Shan, 42, was consecrated a Roman Catholic bishop in a cathedral near Tiananmen Square, the BBC reported Friday.
While the pope didn't formally approve Shan's appointment, Vatican officials pronounced the appointment a "positive sign" when it was announced in July, the BBC reported.
China, which severed ties with the Vatican in 1951 over the Vatican's recognition of Taiwan, has an estimated eight to 12 million Catholics who are divided between the government-backed Patriotic Church and an underground group loyal to the pope.
Beijing insists the Patriotic Church can appoint bishops without Rome's approval, while the Vatican excommunicated two bishops last year for being illegally ordained.
Pope Benedict XVI has sought to improve relations by urging reconciliation and by accepting many of the bishops appointed by the Patriotic Church, the BBC reported.
