Pope says China "suffocates" faith, urges dialogue
Sat 30 Jun 2007
By Phil Stewart

VATICAN CITY, June 30 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict on Saturday decried Chinese state restrictions on religious freedom that "suffocate" the Church and sow division amongst that country's Catholics, in his most significant address on China to date.

But the Pontiff also extended an olive branch to Beijing, saying he hoped to strike an agreement with officially atheist China, where millions of Catholics worship under a state-controlled church that does not recognise his authority.

Others worship in "underground" churches loyal to the Holy See. the rest