Vice President Chen attends mass for peace at Vatican
On October 13 (Saturday) at 8:00 a.m. local time (noon Taipei time), Vice President Chen Chien-jen and his delegation attended a mass to pray for Taiwan and world peace at the Chapel of the Choir in St. Peter's Basilica. Prior to the mass, Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, went to the chapel to convey his regards to Vice President and Mrs. Chen.
The mass to pray for Taiwan and world peace was sponsored by the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference in Taiwan and the ROC Embassy to the Holy See, and conducted by Bishop Thomas An-zu Chung (鍾安住) of the Diocese of Chiayi. The mass was a six-part ceremony, consisting of the Entrance Procession, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Eucharistic Prayer, Communion Rite, and Concluding Rites.
During the Liturgy of the Word, the assembled faithful recited a prayer in five different languages—Italian, English, Mandarin, Taiwanese, and Hakka—to pray for peace in Taiwan and around the world.
In remarks, Vice President Chen said it was a joy and an honor to be appointed by President Tsai Ing-wen to represent the government of the Republic of China and the people of Taiwan in leading a delegation to the Vatican to attend the canonization of Pope Paul VI and six other saints. He specially thanked Chiayi Diocese's Bishop Chung for saying the mass for peace in Taiwan and the world at the Chapel of the Choir in St. Peter's Basilica.
Vice President Chen stated that the government of Taiwan has promoted a number of important reforms over the past two years, and despite many pressures and difficulties, the government must persevere in these reforms to make Taiwan more prosperous, democratic, and free, and ensure better lives for the people. As President Tsai has said: When "love and faithfulness meet, righteousness and peace coverage," then Taiwan will surely achieve harmony, and all will prosper. And that, he said, was the significance of his being there that day to pray that the Lord would bless the people of Taiwan.
The vice president said that during the moment of silent prayer, he had asked that God's holy light continue to shine on Taiwan, and guide Taiwan and China toward the path of peaceful dialogue, especially since Taiwan has always done its utmost to maintain regional peace and cross-strait stability, which is conducive to world peace. But maintaining cross-strait peace and stability is not something Taiwan can achieve alone. Both sides must take responsibility, and work together to create opportunities for peaceful dialogue. In facing the current difficult international situation, the Taiwan government will definitely seek social consensus and gradually overcome obstacles to cross-strait exchanges, and hopes that China's government will demonstrate due wisdom and flexibility so that together, we can create new momentum and conditions for cross-strait stability and peaceful development.
In closing, Vice President Chen emphasized that Taiwan greatly values and cherishes its friendly diplomatic ties with the Vatican, and President Tsai also deeply cares about sustaining Taiwan-Vatican relations. He said the government will certainly maintain its consistent position, and continue to work together with the Vatican to enhance the bilateral relationship so that together, we can use the compassion and goodwill of the Taiwanese people to cooperate with the Vatican to promote universal values like religious freedom, democracy, human rights, and social justice.
Among those participating in the mass were Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh (謝武樵), ROC Ambassador to the Holy See Matthew S.M. Lee (李世明), ROC Representative to Italy Lee Sing-Ying (李新穎), Taiwanese priests, nuns, and monks stationed in Rome, Taiwanese Catholics living and working in the Vatican and Italy, and embassy staff and their family members.
St. Peter's Basilica is the most prominent edifice in Vatican City. Built between 1506 and 1626, it is the largest Catholic church in the world, and one of the holiest sites for Catholic brethren. Leading architects and artists of the Italian Renaissance—including Donato Bramante, Raffaello Sanzio, Michelangelo, and Antonio da Sangallo—took part in its design.