TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – At a National Day celebration at the Vatican Wednesday (Oct. 2), Taiwan said it was donating computers to a monastery in the Central African Republic.

The two countries do not maintain diplomatic relations, but the donation was announced during meetings between Taiwanese diplomats and senior Catholic Church officials at the Vatican, Taiwan’s only official ally in Europe, per CNA.

Ambassador Matthew Lee (李世明) told Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga, the archbishop of Bangui, that Taiwan would supply the equipment for a “Taiwan computer classroom” at the Saint Marc monastery in his city.

Another guest at the National Day reception, Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras, described Taiwan as a model of democracy, which could lead to progress and end poverty. He said he hoped Taiwan could live in peace forever, knowing only prosperity and progress.

In his address, Lee said the embassy will organize a digital art exhibition on Nov. 11 under the title “Interconnected Hearts.” The event is in response to the concern Pope Francis has shown over AI development, he said.