Vice President Chen Chien-jen has left for the Vatican, where he will be attending Mother Theresa’s canonization ceremony.
Chen is a Roman Catholic who has been inducted into the Vatican Order of St. Gregory the Great and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Before departing late on Friday, Chen praised Mother Theresa’s work and recalled her visit to Taiwan during the presidency of Chiang Ching-kuo.
Chen said he will pray for world peace, cross-strait peace, and the continuation of firm relations between Taiwan and the Vatican.
During his trip to the Vatican, Pope Francis is expected to receive Chen and other foreign dignitaries. Chen will also meet with Vatican officials and visit Taiwanese businessmen based in Europe. Chen will return to Taiwan on Thursday. The Vatican is Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Europe. The foreign ministry says that ties with the Vatican remain strong, but there have been concerns that the Vatican may consider cutting ties with Taipei and recognizing Beijing.
Hong Kong media recently reported that Cardinal John Tong of the Diocese of Hong Kong published an article on dialogue between the Vatican and Mainland China in a newspaper owned by the diocese. In the article, he said China “is now willing” to reach an agreement with the Vatican regarding the appointment of bishops. Cardinal Tong also said he is supportive of the agreement, to be reached before the establishment of formal diplomatic ties with Beijing.