Not visiting China remains one of pope's big regrets, cardinals say

Published: 2003-10-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Not visiting China is probably one of Pope John Paul II's biggest regrets, said three church leaders in Rome to celebrate the pontiff's 25th anniversary. Retired French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, Quebec Cardinal-designate Marc Ouellet and Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick said they believe one thing the pope wishes he had accomplished is improving the church's relations with China. "I think he still wants to make peace with China," Cardinal McCarrick told Catholic News Service Oct. 13 as he waited at Rome's airport to greet pilgrims arriving from the Washington Archdiocese. The Italian news agency ANSA reported Oct. 11 that Cardinal Etchegaray said he believes that "of all the trips that he couldn't make as a messenger of peace" the pope's "big regret is not to have been welcomed" by China. Cardinal-designate Ouellet said he also thinks going to China and to Moscow are among the pope's unfulfilled dreams.

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