By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Mar 4, 2025 / 11:55 am
Cardinal Stephen Chow, the Jesuit bishop of Hong Kong, was moved to tears as he and Bishop Joseph Shen Bin of Shanghai led prayers for Pope Francis at the Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan, one of China’s most significant Catholic pilgrimage sites.
The Diocese of Hong Kong revealed on March 3 that during the Mass at the Marian shrine, the two bishops recited together the Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan for the health of the 88-year-old pope, who is battling pneumonia and has been hospitalized in Rome since Feb. 14.
“I was genuinely touched, and I found myself in tears during the prayer,” Chow told the Sunday Examiner, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Hong Kong.
“This location carries immense importance for the Church in China, and it was meaningful to pray alongside Bishop Shen for the Holy Father here.”
The Mass took place on Feb. 25 as part of Chow’s five-day visit to Shanghai with a delegation from Hong Kong. The trip included stops at St. Ignatius Cathedral in Xujiahui, the Sheshan Seminary, and several pilgrimage and religious sites.
Shanghai’s controversial bishop
Bishop Shen Bin, who presided over the Mass with Chow, has made headlines in recent years after his appointment violated the Vatican-China deal. His transfer to Shanghai in April 2023 by the Chinese government — without prior Vatican approval — sparked tensions between China and the Holy See.
Months after Pope Francis confirmed Shen Bin’s appointment, the Shanghai Diocese is hopeful for increased communion under his leadership.
Shen Bin has been serving as the president of the Council of Chinese Bishops since 2022. This group, although not recognized by the Vatican, plays a significant role in the Chinese Catholic community. Previously, Shen Bin held the position of vice president in the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
Shen Bin is expected to attend China’s “Two Sessions” meetings, a significant political event in Beijing, from March 4–11.
Despite existing tensions, the Diocese of Shanghai strives to maintain harmony between the Church and civic society. The bishop emphasized the Church’s role as a bridge for dialogue and unity.
Pope Francis’ Aspiration to Visit Our Lady of Sheshan Shrine
The Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan holds great importance for Chinese Catholics. Pope Benedict XVI declared May 24 as the Church’s World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, aligning with the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians. Each year, thousands of Chinese Catholics embark on a pilgrimage to the Marian shrine atop Sheshan hill on this special day.
Pope Francis displays a personal devotion to Our Lady of Sheshan, housing a statue of the Marian figure in his Vatican residence.
