TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Vatican is unlikely to alter its cautious approach to Taiwan and China following Leo XIV’s appointment, scholar Chiang Kuo-hsiung (江國雄) said Saturday.

Chiang said that the new pope, the first born in the US,  faces many global challenges, including ongoing wars and religious divisions, per CNA. He added that resolving the Vatican’s delicate relations with China and Taiwan is not expected to be a top priority in the near term.

Taiwanese concerns about the Taiwan-Vatican relationship are understandable given Beijing’s frequent interference, Chiang said, but he reassured them that they did not need to worry. As long as Taiwan and the Vatican remain aligned in their core values such as democracy and freedom, the relationship will remain solid.

According to Chiang, the Vatican’s mission extends beyond Taiwan and China to fostering dialogue among the world’s major religions, including Islam and Buddhism. The new pope’s responsibilities include addressing these broad spiritual and humanitarian challenges.

Given these pressing issues, the new pope’s immediate focus will be on promoting peace and alleviating human suffering. Chiang suggested that Taiwan should consider how best to support the new pope’s mission for global welfare, ensuring that Taiwan’s stance remains in harmony with the Vatican’s goals.

Sixty-nine-year-old Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago, became the 267th pope on Thursday.