BEIJING, China -- The China Philharmonic Orchestra plans to perform this week for Pope Benedict XVI, the latest indication that the often-strained ties between Beijing and the Vatican are improving.

The performance at the Vatican tomorrow, featuring Mozart's "Requiem," was initiated by the Chinese and arranged rather quickly, conductor Yu Long told the state-run China Daily.

The concert was listed on the Vatican's public schedule.

"I certainly feel very excited. It is a historic visit. Although we played in Rome in 2004, this will be the orchestra's first appearance at the Vatican," Yu was quoted as saying.

China's officially atheist Communist Party forced Chinese Catholics to cut ties with the Vatican in 1951, and the two sides have not restored formal relations. Beijing sees the Vatican tradition of the pope naming his own bishops as interference in the country. China appoints bishops for its state-sanctioned Catholic church.

While China's most onerous restrictions on religious activity have been lifted, many of the country's estimated 12 million Catholics worship in congregations outside the state-approved church.