This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30455187
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Pope declines Dalai Lama meeting in Rome | Pope declines Dalai Lama meeting in Rome |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Pope Francis will not meet the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama because of the "delicate situation" with China, the Vatican says. | Pope Francis will not meet the exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama because of the "delicate situation" with China, the Vatican says. |
The Dalai Lama, who is visiting Rome, had requested a meeting. | The Dalai Lama, who is visiting Rome, had requested a meeting. |
A Vatican spokesman said that although the Pope held him "in very high regard", the request had been declined "for obvious reasons". | A Vatican spokesman said that although the Pope held him "in very high regard", the request had been declined "for obvious reasons". |
Correspondents say the Vatican does not want to jeopardise efforts to improve relations with China. | Correspondents say the Vatican does not want to jeopardise efforts to improve relations with China. |
China describes the Dalai Lama as a separatist and reacts angrily when foreign dignitaries meet him. | China describes the Dalai Lama as a separatist and reacts angrily when foreign dignitaries meet him. |
The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after Chinese troops crushed an attempted uprising in Tibet. | The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after Chinese troops crushed an attempted uprising in Tibet. |
He now advocates a "middle way" with China, seeking autonomy but not independence for Tibet. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. | He now advocates a "middle way" with China, seeking autonomy but not independence for Tibet. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. |
"Pope Francis obviously holds the Dalai Lama in very high regard but he will not be meeting any of the Nobel laureates," a Vatican spokesman said. He added that the Pope would send a video message to the conference. | |
The Dalai Lama told Italian media that he had approached the Vatican regarding a meeting but had been told it could create inconveniences. | |
Analysts say the Vatican and China are at odds over control of the Catholic Church in China, which is believed to number about 12 million people. | Analysts say the Vatican and China are at odds over control of the Catholic Church in China, which is believed to number about 12 million people. |
The Chinese Communist Party oversees an official community, known as the Patriotic Association, but there is also an underground Church that is loyal to the Pope. | |
A serious bone of contention between China and the Vatican is which side should have the final say in the appointment of bishops. | A serious bone of contention between China and the Vatican is which side should have the final say in the appointment of bishops. |
A Vatican official said the Pope's decision was "not taken out of fear but to avoid any suffering by those who have already suffered". | |
The last time the Dalai Lama was granted a papal audience was in 2006 when he met former Pope Benedict XVI. | The last time the Dalai Lama was granted a papal audience was in 2006 when he met former Pope Benedict XVI. |
The Dalai Lama is in Rome for a meeting of Nobel Peace Prize winners. It was initially to be held in South Africa but was relocated to Rome after South Africa refused the Dalai Lama a visa. | The Dalai Lama is in Rome for a meeting of Nobel Peace Prize winners. It was initially to be held in South Africa but was relocated to Rome after South Africa refused the Dalai Lama a visa. |