The Vatican announced on 15 October that Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Ignatius Wu Jianlin as auxiliary bishop of Shanghai on Aug. 11, with his episcopal ordination taking place under the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China. Father Wu Jianlin’s consecration at St. Ignatius Cathedral marks a further development in the complex relationship between Beijing and the Vatican.
Chinese authorities had previously announced Wu’s “election” by an assembly of priests and laypeople on April 28, during the sede vacante period following the death of Pope Francis.
The Vatican Bollettino, published on 15 October, revealed that the Holy Father approved Wu’s candidacy on Aug. 11.
While his appointment was not previously made public, the announcement suggests the move was made in accordance with the Vatican-China agreement. At the time of Wu’s election, observers expressed concern that Beijing was exploiting the papal interregnum to assert control over episcopal appointments. Vatican statement confirms the new appointment was approved by Pope Leo XIV. Bishop Wu, 55, was born on Jan. 27, 1970, and studied philosophy and theology at Sheshan Seminary in Shanghai from 1991 to 1996. He was ordained a priest in 1997, and served in a number of roles as cleric.
