TAIPEI: Taiwan’s representative at Pope Francis’ funeral expressed hopes for President Lai Ching-te to attend the new pope’s inauguration, while also highlighting a meeting with Japan’s foreign minister, which helps reduce Taiwan’s diplomatic isolation.
The Vatican is among the few nations that officially recognize Taiwan, which China claims as its own. Taiwan had hoped that Lai would attend Francis’ funeral, allowing him to engage with global leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump.
Instead, former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic who had met Francis six times, stepped in for Lai.
Pope Francis had made efforts to engage with officially atheist China, including a pact regarding the selection of Catholic bishops, raising concerns for Taiwan.
In statements released by Taiwan’s Central News Agency after the funeral on Saturday (Apr 26), Chen expressed a desire for continued divine support for improved Taiwan-Vatican relations.
“I also expressed a wish that when the new pope is chosen, President Lai Ching-te will be able to represent our nation at the inauguration, which I included in my prayers during the mass,” Chen noted.
The conclave responsible for electing a new pope is anticipated to take place between May 6 and May 11.
During Francis’ inauguration in 2013, Taiwan’s then-President Ma Ying-jeou was present.
China did not announce any delegation attending Francis’ funeral but did send its condolences.
Chen was joined at the funeral by Vice Foreign Minister Francois Wu, a prominent diplomat who previously served as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to France and frequently appears in international media.
According to the Central News Agency, Chen and Wu spoke with former U.S. President Joe Biden, who has been a strong supporter of Taiwan.
Chen also mentioned discussions with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya about the positive cooperation between their nations, as reported.
China claims Taiwan as a province, denying it the right to formal international relations, a stance that the Taiwanese government firmly opposes.
