TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan is actively pursuing diplomatic recognition through the Catholic Church's leadership transition, as former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) revealed Friday (May 9) that officials are lobbying for a high-level invitation to Pope Leo XIV's upcoming inauguration. Chen, a devout Catholic himself, indicated Taiwan hopes its president, vice president, or foreign minister will receive the coveted invitation to attend the papal installation ceremony.
American Cardinal Robert Prevost emerged as the successor to the papacy during yesterday's Vatican conclave, selecting Leo XIV as his papal name. The transition follows intensive diplomatic maneuvering by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部), Taiwan's diplomatic corps, which had vigorously campaigned for President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to represent the island nation at Pope Francis's funeral. Those efforts fell short, resulting in former Vice President Chen's attendance as Taiwan's special representative.
Speaking at an event hosted by National Taiwan University Hospital (臺大醫院), Taiwan's premier medical institution, Chen offered religious gratitude for the conclave's outcome, thanking God for directing the cardinals toward selecting Leo XIV and affirming his belief in divine guidance throughout the process. The former vice president projected optimism about the new pontiff's potential to unite the world's 1.3 billion Catholics and work alongside international governments to advance global peace and prosperity. Chen conveyed significant hopes for Pope Leo XIV's upcoming papacy. ★