Last week the media reported on talks between the Vatican and two separate countries to improve relations. After two days of meetings between the Vatican and Chinese officials (New York Times, Jan. 20) over whether the Vatican has control over the appointment of Catholic bishops in China, on Saturday the Vatican issued a conciliatory statement (New York Times, Jan. 21) saying it wanted a "respectful and constructive dialogue" to rebuild diplomatic ties with China. However the statement also noted the "grave suffering" of "bishops, priests and the faithful, who without ceding to compromises, have maintained their faith to Seat of St. Peter.
Meanwhile, last week during a meeting with Turkey's new ambassador to the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI called on Turkey to give the Catholic Church legal status as a recognized religious institution. (AKI, Jan. 19).
