Beijing offered to let the China Philharmonic Orchestra perform for Pope Benedict XVI in an unprecedented concert that may improve relations, Church sources said Monday.

According to Reuters, a news-wire service, “the sources, who spoke on condition that they not be named, said the Vatican realized that China is trying to improve its international image but Church officials hope the performance could be a seed for eventual diplomatic relations.”

The orchestra is on a European tour and will perform Mozart’s “Requiem” and Chinese folk songs along with the Shanghai Opera House in the Vatican audience hall on Wednesday night.

A major goal of Benedict’s pontificate has been to improve relations with Beijing. In June, he issued a 55-page open letter saying he sought to restore full diplomatic ties with China. Meanwhile, Catholics in China are split between those who belong to a state-run Church and an underground Church whose members are loyal to the Vatican.

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