When the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci arrived in Beijing, the Wanli Emperor permitted him a residence slightly to the west of the site of the current cathedral, near Xuanwumen.
Ketika seorang Yesuit Italia, Matteo Ricci tiba di Beijing, Kaisar Wanli mengizinkannya tinggal sedikit di sebelah barat lokasi katedral saat ini, di dekat Xuanwumen.