Vatican City - China's state Philharmonic Orchestra staged Wednesday an evening concert for Pope Benedict XVI - an event signalling a further easing of tensions between the Vatican and Beijing. Benedict warmly expressed thanks after the orchestra, accompanied by singers from the Shanghai Opera House Chorus, performed Mozart's Requiem in a Vatican hall named after Pope Paul VI.
"It puts us in touch, as it were, with the living reality of the world of China," the pontiff told the musicians who later also performed the traditional Chinese folk song, Molihua (Jasmine Flowers).
Benedict shook hands with the Philharmonic Orchestra's conductor, Long Yu who then introduced the pontiff to several of the soloists.
Commenting on the choice of Mozart's Requiem - originally composed to be performed before Christian burial - by the leading orchestra of officially atheist China, Benedict said he noted "with pleasure the interest shown by your orchestra and choir in European religious music".
In his greetings Benedict mentioned China's estimated 12 million Catholics, including the five million believed have remained loyal to Rome despite the Communist authorities' rejection of the Vatican's influence over the state-sanctioned Chinese church.
"Dear Chinese artists, the Pope intends to reach out to your entire people, with a special thought for those of your fellow citizens who share faith in Jesus and are united through a particular spiritual bond with the Successor of Peter," he said.
The Vatican has in the past lamented a lack of religious freedom in China, in particular the plight of the underground church, and more recently, the unrest in mostly-Buddhist Tibet.
However, in tune with Wednesday's reconciliatory spirit, Benedict told the musicians he wished the Chinese people well ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games "an event of great importance for the entire human family".
The Vatican does not have diplomatic relations with China whose Communist government cut ties in the early 1950s.
Benedict was seen to break new ground in relations with Beijing when in June 2007 he sent a letter to Chinese Catholics expressing admiration for the Chinese people, but also the need for greater religious freedom in China.
Then the pontiff also reiterated his concern with Beijing's appointment of bishops and other officials in state-sanctioned Catholic Patriotic Association without consulting the Vatican.
Relations appear to have improved since, with the Vatican saying it had approved in September two state-appointed bishops.
