Former Vice President of Taiwan, Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), expressed optimism on Saturday that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) might be invited to attend the upcoming inauguration of the next pope, following his mission as a special envoy to the late Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican.
The funeral ceremony for Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, aged 88, drew a crowd of over 250,000 visitors and was attended by 163 international delegations, highlighting the late pontiff’s global impact. The event, held at St. Peter’s Basilica, included 12 reigning monarchs, 42 heads of state, six deputy heads of state, and delegates from nine United Nations organizations.
Chen’s Mission: Strengthening Taiwan’s Diplomatic Presence
Representing President Lai, Chen emphasized the importance of maintaining Taiwan’s rare diplomatic connection with the Holy See — Taiwan’s sole official ally in Europe. Chen’s participation was seen as more than ceremonial; it was a subtle yet significant assertion of Taiwan’s ongoing relevance in global diplomacy.
After attending the two-hour funeral, Chen shared that he briefly conversed with former U.S. President Joe Biden, focusing on the “Cancer Moonshot Initiative”, an ambitious effort launched during Biden’s vice presidency to accelerate cancer research. Chen noted that Taiwan’s Academia Sinica had participated in the initiative and that collaboration continues today.
Biden encouraged the continuation of the project, responding warmly with “Go, go, go, keep it going,” showing solidarity across nations in the field of medical research.
Chen also thanked Biden for his administration’s support for Taiwan, specifically mentioning the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, the first agreement of which took effect in late 2024, signaling deepening economic ties despite mounting pressure from Beijing.
Symbolic Conversations with Global Leaders
In addition to Biden, Chen engaged in brief but cordial exchanges with Japan’s top diplomat Takeshi Iwaya, and heads of the Paraguayan and Guatemalan delegations — two of Taiwan’s steadfast diplomatic allies in Latin America.
Such conversations, while seemingly brief, carried symbolic weight. They reaffirmed Taiwan’s diplomatic visibility on the world stage and underscored that despite increasing isolation efforts by China, Taiwan continues to be recognized and welcomed by key international players.
Why Chen Was Chosen Over Lai
Some observers questioned why President Lai did not attend personally. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) explained that Chen, a devout Catholic with close ties to the late Pope Francis, was the best choice “under current circumstances.”
Chen had previously met Pope Francis six times and was honored as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 2021 — relationships that were seen as invaluable for ensuring Taiwan’s respectful and meaningful representation at the Vatican during a sensitive period.
Deputy Foreign Minister François Wu (吳志中), who accompanied Chen, emphasized that this event was a rare opportunity for Taiwan to demonstrate its continued global participation. “This is a global meeting and our participation has demonstrated that Taiwan is part of the world,” Wu said.
Taiwan, Vatican, and a Changing Diplomatic Landscape
The Vatican is Taiwan’s last official diplomatic ally in Europe, maintaining relations since 1942. However, Vatican-Beijing relations have warmed since Pope Francis’ election in 2013, notably with the signing of a 2018 agreement regarding the appointment of bishops in China — an agreement renewed for a third time in late 2024.
Despite this warming, tensions remain. China has recently unilaterally appointed bishops without Vatican approval, challenging the fragile agreement and providing Taiwan with cautious optimism that its relationship with the Holy See remains crucial.
Taiwanese officials are navigating this shifting landscape carefully, striving to bolster personal, religious, and academic ties even as China continues to pressure the Vatican to switch diplomatic recognition.
Chen’s Hope: Continued Blessings and Future Invitations
After completing his mission, Chen voiced hope that the late Pope Francis would continue to bless Taiwan’s diplomatic relations and that President Lai might be invited to the new pope’s inauguration, once elected.
Such an invitation would be historic, signaling not just continued ties but also an affirmation of Taiwan’s international legitimacy at a time when geopolitical pressures are steadily mounting.
FAQs
Why did former Vice President Chen attend Pope Francis’ funeral instead of President Lai?
Chen’s strong Catholic background, personal connections with Pope Francis, and previous experience in diplomacy made him the ideal representative under delicate diplomatic circumstances.
What was the significance of Chen’s conversation with Joe Biden?
Chen and Biden discussed continued cooperation on cancer research and the importance of U.S.-Taiwan trade agreements, reaffirming strong bilateral ties.
How does Taiwan benefit from participating in global events like the pope’s funeral?
Participation reinforces Taiwan’s visibility and relevance internationally, countering Beijing’s attempts to isolate it diplomatically.
Why is Taiwan worried about Vatican-China relations?
The Vatican’s diplomatic warming with China could eventually pressure the Holy See to switch recognition from Taiwan to Beijing, jeopardizing Taiwan’s European diplomatic presence.
Will President Lai likely attend the new pope’s inauguration?
While not guaranteed, Taiwan hopes that its respectful presence at the funeral could open the door for higher-level representation at future Vatican events.
