Chang was also ordained a bishop Wednesday, although the Vatican announced his appointment on July 22, while Duan’s appointment was made public this week. The bilateral agreement, first signed in 2018, regulates the process for selecting and recognizing Catholic bishops in China. With Duan’s appointment and episcopal ordination, 16 Chinese Catholic bishops have now been ordained under the provisional agreement signed by China and the Holy See during the pontificate of Francis. Chinese episcopal appointments under Pope Leo XIVPope Leo XIV has closely followed the appointment and ordination of Chinese bishops. Since the beginning of his pontificate, Leo has advanced several episcopal appointments in China and entrusted new responsibilities to bishops who had already been ordained.