Pope names new Hong Kong bishop amid tensions over city's freedoms

Pope Francis named a new bishop of Hong Kong on Monday, a long-delayed appointment that comes amid Sino-Vatican frictions and growing Western concern over human rights in the global financial hub.

Stephen Chow (above), 61, head of Hong Kong's Jesuit order, will replace Cardinal John Tong, who has held the post in a caretaker capacity following the death of the previous bishop, Michael Yeung, in January 2019.

Senior clerics in Hong Kong familiar with the situation said the new bishop must ease tensions among a flock divided between those wanting the diocese to do more to defend Hong Kong's waning freedoms and others, including some powerful establishment figures, who want a less confrontational approach.

The former British colony has for decades been a strong Catholic...