On Sunday, in an uncharacteristically civil gesture, China, which does not recognize the Pope, offered condolences for his death on April 2.

Only days before, China had arrested two elderly Roman Catholic priests- Bishop Yao Liang from the Xiwanzi area of Hebei province (arrested on Thursday) and Father Wang Jinling of Zhangjiakou, Hebei was arrested on the Friday before Pope John Paul died. No reasons were given for their arrests.