China Warns Pope Francis Not To 'Interfere' With Atheist Country

China authorities released a statement this week warning Pope Francis not to "interfere" with the Asian country's policies after Francis suggested he'd like to visit the officially-atheist country "as soon as tomorrow."

Pope Francis mentioned on his recent flight home from South Korea that he would enjoy visiting China and opening up a greater religious dialogue in Beijing. China is traditionally known for being a strictly atheist country, only allowing state-sanctioned religious entities to legally exist.

Francis told reporters on his trip home from South Korea that the Catholic Church "[respects] the Chinese people," adding "The church only asks for liberty for its task, for its work."

Liu Yuanlong, vice president of China's state-sanctioned Catholic Patriotic Association, then released a statement arguing that the Vatican should respect how the Asian country manages its religious citizens.

"China will always safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and it never allows foreign forces to interfere with religion. The Vatican should respect China in terms of the personnel of a diocese," Yuanlong told the state-run Global Times in a recent interview.

When Francis visited South Korea earlier in August, he encouraged Catholics in the country to evangelize everyone they can on the Asian continent, even those who may be hesitant or suspicious of religion.

"On this vast continent which is home to a great variety of cultures, the church is called to be versatile and creative in her witness to the Gospel through dialogue and openness to all," Francis said.

"In this spirit of openness to others, I earnestly hope that those countries of your continent with whom the Holy See does not yet enjoy a full relationship may not hesitate to further a dialogue for the benefit of all," the pontiff added.