Taiwan President Lai Congratulates Pope Leo, Vows Stronger Ties with Vatican

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has extended his congratulations to newly appointed Pope Leo XIV, expressing hopes to deepen cooperation with the Vatican on global values such as peace, justice, and religious freedom. According to Taiwan's foreign ministry, Lai conveyed his message through Taiwan’s embassy to the Holy See.

The Vatican remains one of only 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. In contrast to previous occasions, Lai did not attend Pope Francis’ funeral last month, delegating former vice president Chen Chien-jen, a devout Catholic, to represent the island.

Pope Francis previously pursued engagement with Beijing, including a controversial agreement on appointing bishops in China—a move that raised concerns in Taipei about the Vatican’s stance toward Taiwan.

In the official statement, Lai emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to working alongside the Holy See in promoting shared values like solidarity, fraternity, and human dignity. The ministry added that Taiwan will continue fostering bilateral exchanges and global cooperation with the Vatican.

While the ministry did not confirm if Lai will attend Pope Leo’s inauguration, it referenced precedent—former President Ma Ying-jeou attended Pope Francis’ in 2013.

A photo posted by Taiwan’s embassy to the Vatican showed outgoing Ambassador Matthew Lee with Pope Leo (then Cardinal Robert Prevost) at a 2023 Vatican event. Lee told Taiwan’s Central News Agency that Leo, upon learning he was from Taiwan, affirmed his ability to distinguish “democratic Taiwan from communist China.”

China, which opposes any international recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state, has yet to respond to Pope Leo’s appointment.

This diplomatic gesture from Lai highlights Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to maintain its international presence despite growing pressure from Beijing.