Bolivia Orders Pre-Trial Detention of Former President Luis Arce Over Embezzlement Probe 
Belarus Frees 123 Political Prisoners in U.S.-Brokered Deal Over Sanctions 
Tunisia Protests Grow as Opposition Unites Against President Kais Saied’s Rule 
Zelenskiy Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid as Ukraine, U.S. Hold Crucial Peace Talks in Berlin 
Thailand Vows Continued Military Action Amid Cambodia Border Clash Despite Trump Ceasefire Claim 
Preservation Group Sues Trump Administration to Halt $300 Million White House Ballroom Project 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
U.S. Special Forces Intercept Ship Carrying Military Components Bound for Iran 
Ukraine’s NATO Concession Unlikely to Shift Peace Talks, Experts Say 
U.S. Soldiers Killed in ISIS Attack in Palmyra, Syria During Counterterrorism Mission 
Trump Signals Two Final Candidates for Fed Chair, Calls for Presidential Input on Interest Rates 
Colombia’s Clan del Golfo Peace Talks Signal Mandatory Prison Sentences for Top Leaders 
Syria Arrests Five Suspects After Deadly Attack on U.S. and Syrian Troops in Palmyra 
Special Prosecutor Alleges Yoon Suk Yeol Sought North Korea Provocation to Justify Martial Law 
Air Force One Delivery Delayed to 2028 as Boeing Faces Rising Costs 
Supporters Gather Ahead of Verdict in Jimmy Lai’s Landmark Hong Kong National Security Trial 
Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Targets Senior Hamas Commander Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
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.
