Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass as special envoy from President Lai Ching-te, May 18 in St. Peter’s Square, Rome, demonstrating Taiwan’s deep bond with diplomatic ally, Holy See.
Accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister François Chihchung Wu, Chen’s group was among over 150 delegations witnessing the historic moment. Following the mass, Chen had an audience with the new leader of the global Catholic Church and presented a congratulatory letter signed by Lai.
The former VP also offered a set of postcards jointly published by Taiwan and the Apostolic Nunciature as well as a photo of Pope Leo XIV, during his capacity as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2020, when he had accepted pandemic-prevention supplies from Taiwan.
Following his arrival in Rome on May 17, Chen met with ally, Kingdom of Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini at the airport and the next day with Alrich Nicolas, Haiti’s special envoy and former foreign minister, the ministry added.
Chen also met with Catholic clergy, notably Cardinal Silvano Tomasi who was Permanent Observer of Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva from 2003-2016 and is currently Special Delegate to the Knights of Malta, which although possessing no territory, is considered a sovereign entity under international law.
Taiwan and the Holy See have shared 83 years of diplomatic ties built on a foundation of belief in the universal values of freedom, peace and respect for human rights. MOFA hopes to continue to make positive contributions under the bilateral partnership, such as in humanitarian relief projects. (POC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
Accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister François Chihchung Wu, Chen’s group was among over 150 delegations witnessing the historic moment. Following the mass, Chen had an audience with the new leader of the global Catholic Church and presented a congratulatory letter signed by Lai.
The former VP also offered a set of postcards jointly published by Taiwan and the Apostolic Nunciature as well as a photo of Pope Leo XIV, during his capacity as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, in 2020, when he had accepted pandemic-prevention supplies from Taiwan.
Following his arrival in Rome on May 17, Chen met with ally, Kingdom of Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini at the airport and the next day with Alrich Nicolas, Haiti’s special envoy and former foreign minister, the ministry added.
Chen also met with Catholic clergy, notably Cardinal Silvano Tomasi who was Permanent Observer of Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva from 2003-2016 and is currently Special Delegate to the Knights of Malta, which although possessing no territory, is considered a sovereign entity under international law.
Taiwan and the Holy See have shared 83 years of diplomatic ties built on a foundation of belief in the universal values of freedom, peace and respect for human rights. MOFA hopes to continue to make positive contributions under the bilateral partnership, such as in humanitarian relief projects. (POC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News