Papal appeal for China's forgiveness

Pope John Paul II has asked China to forgive past errors of the Roman Catholic Church and has appealed to the authorities in Beijing to establish direct relations with the Vatican.

The Pope expressed regret that past failings of the Roman Catholic Church may have given what he called the impression of a lack of respect and esteem for the Chinese people.

His appeal came in a message to an international convention in Rome on dialogue between China and the West, to mark the fourth centenary of the arrival in China of Christian missionary, Matteo Ricci.

Correspondents say the Pope's move could have major political repercussions - at present Beijing does not recognise Papal authority and the Vatican refuses to remove its ambassador to Taiwan.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service