Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

When asked to comment on the legacy of Pope Francis and his significance to the relations between the Vatican and China as well as the Catholic community in China, Guo Jiakun, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that China expresses its condolences over the death of Pope Francis. 

In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained constructive contacts and carried out beneficial exchanges. China is willing to make joint efforts with the Vatican side to promote the continuous improvement of China-Vatican relations, said Guo.

Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88, multiple media outlets including AFP and Reuters reported, citing the Vatican.

He had recently survived a serious bout of double pneumonia, Reuters reported. 

Global Times