Taiwan Former Vice President at Papal Inauguration

TaiwanPlus News

One of Taiwan's most prominent Catholics, former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, has invited Pope Leo XIV to Taiwan while serving as Taiwan's envoy at the papal inauguration.

Transcript

00:00Pope Leo XIV waves to the 250,000 Catholics, dignitaries and other visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square for his inauguration.

00:10The crowd is gathered from all corners of the world.

00:13They include well-wishers from the U.S. excited to see the first ever pope from their country.

00:18Very, very excited. He's the first American pope. Yes, we're very proud of that.

00:23And closer to home, Italian Catholics.

00:26I like his personality and hope he can continue on the path paved by Pope Francis.

00:34Security is tight as dignitaries and heads of state gather for an inaugural mass.

00:42Representing Taiwan is former Vice President Chen Jianren, a leading member of Taiwan's small Catholic community.

00:48The Vatican is one of 12 states that have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and the only one in Europe.

00:54So even at a time when Taiwan is shut out from many big global events due to Chinese objections,

00:59it's still able to have a presence at those connected to the papacy.

01:03At this papal inauguration, he's had a chance to rub shoulders with other dignitaries, like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

01:11But Chen has also arrived with a message and an invitation for the new pope.

01:16Dayuan is home to just a few hundred thousand of the world's more than 1 billion Catholics,

01:21and we have more friends with each other,

01:24and we can help each other with each other.

01:27Of course, we are also looking forward to

01:29that one day we can visit Taiwan.

01:33Taiwan is home to just a few hundred thousand

01:35of the world's more than one billion Catholics,

01:37but its president hopes the arrival of the new pope

01:40will help strengthen one of the country's

01:41oldest diplomatic alliances.

01:44Eason Chen and John Van Trieste for Taiwan Plus.

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