(Reuters) A new Roman Catholic bishop of Beijing is being consecrated in the Chinese capital, the first for more than 50 years to have the approval of the Pope.
Father Joseph Li Shan's predecessor, who died earlier this year, was appointed by the government-controlled Catholic Church in 1979.
Until recently China's Church appointed bishops without Vatican's approval.
The change comes after a recent letter from Pope Benedict to Chinese Catholics seeking reconciliation.
China severed ties with the Vatican in 1951, amid anger at the Vatican's recognition of Taiwan.
Relations between China and the Vatican have been strained in recent years due to Beijing's insistence that the official Patriotic Church has the right to appoint bishops without Rome's approval.
The Vatican excommunicated two bishops last year for being illegally ordained.
China estimates eight to 12 million Catholics are split between the state Church and an underground Church which is loyal to the Vatican.
However, Pope Benedict XVI has sought to improve relations between China and Rome, and sent a letter to Chinese Catholics last month, urging reconciliation between the two groups.
The letter stressed that the Vatican is open to negotiations for resuming diplomatic relations, and has accepted the authority of many bishops appointed unilaterally by the Patriotic Church.