What Happened After more than three years of negotiation and repeated delays, China and the Vatican are moving closer to an agreement in which the Chinese government recognizes the authority of the pope and both countries reconcile their differences over the appointment of bishops in China's state-backed and "underground" Catholic communities. The Details As part of the agreement, which is expected in either September or October, Pope Francis will formally recognize seven excommunicated Chinese government-appointed bishops, a key condition by Beijing. The recognition would effectively force two bishops who have shunned government control to step aside in favor of Beijing-appointed bishops, a thorny issue that has drawn backlash from portions of the Chinese Catholic community and delayed the negotiations. As part of the concession, the Chinese government is reportedly expected to recognize one underground bishop.