Catholic churches and government authorities uneasily coexist in China . More than six million people attend government - sanctioned churches . Experts say millions more practice Catholicism in underground ` ` house - churches '' Chinese Catholics hope the next pope will improve church 's relations with state .
Catholic Church and government authorities uneasily coexist in China . More than six million Catholics attend government-sanctioned churches . Experts say millions more practice Catholicism in underground `` house-churches '' Chinese Catholics hope the next pope can reconcile church 's differences with Beijing .