The relationship between China and Vatican are likely to become smoother as Pope Francis seeks to bridge the gap.

It is expected that the Pope will announce  in the coming 30 days some key steps to ease the tension between China and the Catholic Church.

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Pope Francis designated the current year as Holy Year of Mercy, in which he asked to celebrate the acts of forgiveness.

It is also anticipated that the pontiff will make the announcement prior to the Nov. 20 culmination of the Holy Year of Mery.

The biggest issue between the two parties pertains to the Vatican's right to appoint its bishops in China.

China is officially an atheist country. However, at the same time, the country has seen major growth in evangelical Christianity. Catholicism, on the other hand, has not been able to make major progress in the country.

Earlier this year, in an interview with Asia Times, the Pope said that China is "more than a country, a great culture, with an inexhaustible wisdom."

Pope Francis has taken many gestures to show his agreement with China. He even refused to meet Dalai Lama on his visit to Rome in 2014. He also sent a telegram to President Xi Jinping in 2014, on his way to Taiwan.

Reportedly, the Chinese President sent a silk print to the Pope earlier this month. This has to be taken with a grain of salt, though, since the news is not yet confirmed.

With the planned reconciliation, both parties are likely to face some tough issues, such as the status of eight bishops appointed by the Chinese government. Some of these bishops have been ex-communicated by the Vatican.

The head of Hong Kong's Catholic Church has earlier stated that both China and Vatican had reached a preliminary agreement regarding the appointment of Catholic bishops in the country. 

TagsPope Francis, Catholicism, Vatican city