TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's government on Monday expressed condolences to the Vatican on Pope Francis's passing and will send an envoy to attend the funeral.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis passed away Monday at the age of 88 from a stroke and heart failure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) directed the embassy to convey a presidential condolence message.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) conveyed Taiwan’s condolences to Reverend Monsignor Stefano Mazzotti, Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Taiwan. The ministry also expressed condolences to Bishop John Lee Keh-Mien (李克勉), president of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference of Taiwan.
The ministry said given the close diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Holy See, Taipei will send high-level officials as special envoys to attend the pope’s funeral. Senior government officials will also attend the memorial mass hosted by the Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan.
During his papacy from 2013 to 2025, Pope Francis expressed sympathy for the victims of the 2024 Hualien earthquake in Taiwan and offered prayers, according to the ministry. He showed concern for the Catholic Church in Taiwan by appointing several Taiwanese bishops and receiving presidential envoys who traveled to the Vatican for important ceremonial events.
The ministry said Francis also engaged in interfaith dialogue with representatives from Taiwan. “His humility and concern for all humanity, and especially his active calls for world peace, will remain forever in the hearts of the people and government of Taiwan,” said MOFA.
The ministry said Taiwan will continue to promote humanitarian cooperation with the Holy See and the Catholic Church. The ministry said it will strive to advance global peace and uphold democratic values, while deepening the long-standing diplomatic ties with the Vatican based on shared ideals.
Taiwan and the Holy See have maintained deep diplomatic ties for over 70 years. Former Presidents Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) both engaged in head-of-state diplomacy with the Vatican, per CNA.
In April 2005, when Pope John Paul II passed away, Chen attended the funeral mass, setting a precedent as the first sitting Taiwanese president to visit Europe and receiving head-of-state-level honors. In March 2013, Ma led a delegation to attend Pope Francis’s inauguration and met with him, marking the first meeting between the heads of state of the two countries.
