Vice President Chen visits Montecassino Abbey during trip to Vatican
During his Vatican trip, Vice President Chen Chien-jen and his delegation visited the Montecassino Abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict on the morning of October 13 local time (afternoon Taipei time).
After their arrival, Vice President Chen and his wife first gave an interview at the entrance to the abbey under an archway inscribed with the word "PAX," the Latin word for "peace." They were then met by Abbot Donato Ogliari, who guided them through a cloistered garden commemorating Saint Benedict, where they could also see, on a distant mountaintop, a memorial cemetery for Polish soldiers killed in World War II. Next they were given a guided tour in English.
In the interview, the vice president said that morning's mass was dedicated to world peace. He further explained that the Bible says that peace can be achieved by acting justly, showing mercy, and being humble. He expressed his belief that all the world's great powers should be humble, and that interactions between people and between countries should be likewise.
Commenting on the audience with Pope Francis scheduled for the next day, the vice president said that the pope has always shown great concern for Taiwan, and whether countries around the world are at peace and uphold universal values. The vice president added that relations between Taiwan and the Holy See have always been quite good.
Noting that he had met with the pope when he attended the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the vice president also said that, on behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen and the people of Taiwan, he would invite the pope to visit Taiwan. Hopefully, he said, the pope can visit Taiwan during his trip to Japan next year.
Montecassino Abbey was built around the year 529 by Saint Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order, and later became the center of monastic life in the West. This abbey has long been seen as sacred ground, and is well known around the world for its culture and arts.
During World War II, Montecassino Abbey served as a sanctuary for civilians fleeing the fighting. On October 24, 1964, Pope Paul VI named Saint Benedict the "Patron of Europe" and also praised him as a "messenger of peace." That is why the three large red Latin letters "PAX" appear above the abbey's main entry arch, behind which one can see in the distance on the facing mountaintop a memorial cemetery for Polish soldiers killed in World War II, both of which highlight the abbey as a symbol of peace and tolerance that transcends time.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh (謝武樵) and ROC Ambassador to the Holy See Matthew S.M. Lee (李世明) were also on hand for the occasion.