HONG KONG – Pope Benedict XVI told a delegation from Hong Kong he will visit China in what would be an extraordinary papal visit to the communist nation, but he said the trip’s timing depends on “God’s wish,” media reports said yesterday.

One of the Vatican’s goals is to restart official relations with China, which forced its Roman Catholics to cut ties with the Holy See in 1951 after the officially atheist Communists took power. People can worship only in government-controlled churches.

But millions of Chinese belong to unofficial congregations loyal to Rome. They say they are frequently harassed, fined and sometimes sent to labor camps by authorities.

Pope John Paul II, the most-traveled pontiff in history, was unable to visit China during his 26-year papacy. Pope Paul VI made a three-hour stopover in Hong Kong in 1970 when it was a British colony.

No pope has ever visited mainland China.

The Hong Kong delegation was in Rome for ceremonies installing 15 new cardinals, including Hong Kong Bishop Joseph Zen.

Bishop Zen, an outspoken champion of religious freedom in China, said he believed the pope would visit Hong Kong first if he made a China trip.

“Hong Kong is part of China and perhaps he should come here as a first step,” Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post quoted Bishop Zen as saying.

The delegation included Hong Kong publishing mogul Jimmy Lai, who told the pope Monday, “Please come to China to bring us love and democracy,” Mr. Lai’s Apple Daily newspaper reported in a front-page story.

The pope responded, “I will come,” the newspaper reported.

But he said the timing depends on “God’s wish,” the Ming Pao Daily reported, quoting Hong Kong Catholic Diocese vicar the Reverend Dominic Chan.

A Vatican official said yesterday it is a well-known fact that the pope wishes to travel to China, but he could not confirm Pope Benedict’s conversation with Mr. Lai. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

On Saturday, the Vatican’s foreign minister said the “time is ripe” for the Holy See and Beijing to establish diplomatic relations.

One of the remaining stumbling blocks is China’s demand to have a say in the appointment of bishops, which China views as interference in its internal affairs.

The pope also met with lawmaker Martin Lee, Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy figure, and encouraged him to continue fighting for democracy, the South China Morning Post reported.

Hong Kong was promised eventual full democracy when it was returned to China in 1997, but Beijing has yet to say when voters will enjoy those rights.