Recently Cardinal Joseph Zen the senior Chinese Catholic in Hong Kong has slammed a potential deal between the Vatican and China, saying it would divide the Roman Catholic Church from Asia. Never the less the sexual abuse scandal has struck the Vatican really hard at this moment and wounded it. From an astrological point of view is this possible ? Let us take a look in history. 
There was something spectacular happened in 1517 -1518 which worth our notice. At that time, Saturn and Pluto were conjunct in Capricorn, and Uranus was in Taurus – these outer planet placements are what we are going to experience in 2019.
In 1517, Ottoman Empire occupied Egypt, and an ambassador from Portugal had his first official contact with China. Perhaps this could be related to the tense situation of Turkey and Middle East, and the world’s interest on China nowadays. What is more important is that Martin Luther published his 95 Theses and posted them on the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church in 1517, on 31 October 1517 Saturn was still on 27 Sagittarius but conjunct with Pluto in 2 degrees Capricorn and Uranus was at 5 degrees Taurus.
We cannot say that this single act boosted religious reformation at that time, especially when Jan Hus and John Wyclif had already criticised the Church publicly in the 14th century, and their words have had influence ever since. If we try to explore the history of how the Church split, there actually lies the influence of Saturn-Pluto cycle. In the Council of Chalcedon held in AD 451, the See of Constantinople was elevated to a position “second in eminence and power to the Bishop of Rome” and Rome thus filed a protest against the reduction of honour given to Antioch and Alexandria. It was one of the major deviations between Constantinople and Rome. Pluto was in Cancer and Saturn was in Libra at that time, forming a tight square.
The Byzantine Iconoclasm in AD726 worsened the conflict between Pope of Roman Church and Constantinople where the emperor of Byzantine Empire resided. Saturn was in Aquarius whereas Pluto was in Leo (they would form an exact opposition after 2 years).
From the observation of these events in history, I believe we should not limit our focus to the reformation of church or conflicts among different denominations. Instead, we should realise that at that time, the Church actually possessed great political rights. The conflicts between the king and the Pope were often because of economic advantages and political rights. These are also attributes of Saturn and Pluto. When considering East-West Schism, we should not only think about religious difference.
Consider the chart of the first Saturn Pluto conjucnt on 12th Jan 2020 with Pope Francis natal chart. We notice that Transiting Uranus on 2 degrees of Taurus right on his M.C and square his Pluto and it is his Uranus return. His natal Uranus on 5 degrees of Taurus is exact degree when Martin Luther published his 95 Theses. Is this a sign of a revolution ? a reform ? or a division ?
The Saturn Pluto conjunction at 22 Capricorn also conjunct the Sun and Mercury widely opposite Pope Francis’ Pluto at 28 Cancer and sqaure his Mars at 19 Libra, Neptune conjucnt his Saturn and square Chiron, this chart clearly describes the dilemma he has to face.
