In what could be an encouraging sign for relations between Beijing and the Holy See-or maybe just some pre-Olympics PR by the PRC-the China Philharmonic Orchestra performed at the Vatican yesterday for Pope Benedict XVI.

In his remarks to the musicians, the pope pointedlymentioned “your fellow citizens who share faith in Jesus and are unitedthrough aparticular spiritual bond with the Successor of Peter.” (Chinese Catholics are divided between a state-controlled “patriotic” Catholic church and an “underground” church loyal to Rome.)

More pleasingto Beijing, presumably, were Benedict’s greetings to “all the people of China as they prepare for the Olympic Games,an event of great importance for the entire human family.”