TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Pope Francis, the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, has died at age 88, according to a Vatican announcement issued Monday (April 11). The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Taipei (天主教台北總教區), which oversees Catholic affairs in Taiwan's capital region, has begun consultations with local bishops and the Vatican's diplomatic mission regarding memorial arrangements for the pontiff.
The pope's death came as a shock to many who had seen him just a day earlier delivering Easter blessings to the faithful. The Vatican made the official announcement on April 21 via video statement. Chen Ko (陳科), who serves as secretary-general of the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference of Taiwan (天主教會台灣地區主教團), the island's main Catholic coordinating body, expressed disbelief at the news. "I saw him yesterday on the Vatican's official website, sitting in a wheelchair and greeting people, looking quite healthy," Chen said.
Upon first hearing the news, Chen responded with incredulity, reportedly exclaiming, "Really?" He only accepted the reality after seeing confirmations from multiple international news sources. The secretary-general emphasized that due to the unexpected nature of the pontiff's death, Taiwan's Catholic leadership would need to convene with the Apostolic Nunciature — the Vatican's diplomatic mission—to determine appropriate responses. While Chen confirmed a memorial service would be held in Taiwan, specific arrangements remain undetermined, according to the Central News Agency (中央社), the island's state-run news service.
The pontiff's health had been deteriorating since February 14, when he was hospitalized with bronchitis that subsequently developed into bilateral pneumonia affecting both lungs. His medical team had issued warnings on February 21 about potential sepsis complications, referencing the pope's medical history that included lung surgery when he was 21 years old. The Vatican holds unique significance for Taiwan as its sole remaining diplomatic ally in Europe, making the pope's death particularly consequential for Vatican-Taiwan relations, which have endured while other nations have severed ties in favor of Beijing. ★
