Pope treated to ceremony at Vatican to usher in the Chinese New Year February 2, 2024By Carol Glatz OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis “dotted the eyes” of performers dressed as a dragon and lion in a traditional ceremony to symbolically awaken them and welcome in the Chinese New Year. He complimented the performers for “this fine art” and thanked them for their thoughtfulness during an audience at the Vatican Feb. 2 with a delegation from the National Federation Italy-China and the Chinese Martial Arts Academy of Vercelli in northern Italy. “I extend to all of you a warm welcome and I thank you for your visit” to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the federation — a non-profit cultural association promoting solidarity and friendship between Italy and China — and to prepare for the Chinese New Year, which begins Feb. 10 and ushers in a year of the dragon. He expressed his appreciation for the group’s efforts in fostering dialogue “and seeking to respond to the challenges posed by cultural integration, education and the promotion of shared social values.” When “Italian and Chinese communities come to know each other better, this can lead to greater mutual acceptance and fraternal spirit.” The traditional Chinese dances, which the performers exhibited for the pope, “express the hope that the New Year will be prosperous and productive,” he said. The performance included having the pope paint the eyes of the dragon with red paint to symbolically bring it to life. In his greeting to the acrobats, he recognized their skill in “spectacular and even extremely risky feats of daring.” He encouraged all of them “to keep taking risks on the path of dialogue, and in this way to become ‘acrobats of peace and fraternity.'” Read More Vatican News ‘Peru holds a special place in my heart,’ pope tells Peruvian bishops, surprises them at lunch Olympics 2026: Pope calls for ‘healthy competition’ to unite people at Winter Games As Cardinal Pierre turns 80, what comes next? Deadly violence in Minneapolis tied to ICE agents is ‘unacceptable,’ top cardinal says Lack of faith, especially among youth, should spur evangelization, pope says Cardinal Fernández warns against ‘ex cathedra’ condemnations online, urges humility Copyright © 2024 OSV News Print
