Vatican: China recognizes Catholic bishop of Tianjin

FILE - Two Gendarmerie officers and a Swiss guard stand guard as Pope Francis holds the weekly general audience, in Saint Peter Square at the Vatican, May 22, 2024.

China's government has recognized the authority of the Catholic bishop of Tianjin, Melchior Shi Hongzhen, the Vatican said on Tuesday, who had previously been placed under house arrest for refusing to join China's state-backed church structure.