Pope Francis reminded reporters on Monday of the politeness that underpins the conduct of both the Vatican and the Dalai Lama in regard to the prospect of a future meeting between the two faith leaders.
The Pontiff said that the communication lines between himself and the Dalai Lama are open, and that "a date has been fixed. But not for the moment." According to the Pope, both leaders remain in contact.
The issue of why the Catholic leader did not meet with the Dalai Lama in December, when the latter was visiting the Vatican City, surfaced again this week. Although a Reuters report from last month claimed that the Pope had avoided the matter in order to maintain smooth relations with the Chinese government, Pope Francis made it clear on Monday that "we are doing things step by step," and informed reporters:
"The usual protocol of the secretary of state is not to receive heads of state and high-ranking personalities when they are in Rome for an international meeting."
The Pope reinforced his point by stating that he did not engage in any meetings during the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) summit in November of last year.
Further evidence of the Pontiff's sentiment was seen in both Aug. 2014 and on Monday. In accordance with the Pope's customary practice of sending greetings to the leader's of the countries that he flies over during international trips, he sent two greetings to President Xi Jinping on his way to and from South Korea in August, and then as he was flying back from Manila this week, he sent a telegram that read: "I assure you of my prayers for you and the people of China, invoking abundant blessings of harmony and prosperity."
Chairman Mao ceased diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China in 1951. Furthermore, the present government has stipulated that the Vatican is not to interrupt China's internal affairs in the name of religion if Sino-Vatican relations are to improve.