Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

Vice President Chen Chien-jen completed his visit to the Holy See and returned to Taiwan in the early morning hours of October 15, delivering remarks at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. He said that in addition to conveying President Tsai Ing-wen's congratulations and greetings to Pope Francis, he met with many high-ranking clergy and exchanged views regarding cooperative projects that Taiwan and the Holy See have jointly promoted including humanitarian assistance, and environmentally sustainable development. The vice president thanked our colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic missions for their efforts, as well as the Holy See and the Archbishop of Loreto and the Bishop of Macerata for their warm hospitality, which ensured a smooth and successful visit.A translation of the vice president's remarks follows:Thank you all very much for coming to the airport so early in the morning to welcome us. The trip went smoothly, and was a great success. I especially want to thank our staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at our overseas diplomatic missions, and other organizations involved for all of your thoughtful arrangements.As the special envoy and head of our delegation, I had an audience with Pope Francis before the canonization ceremony, accompanied by my wife. I conveyed congratulations and greetings from President Tsai, the government, the people, and the Catholic brethren of Taiwan, and also assured the Pope that the people of Taiwan, and our Catholic brethren in particular, often pray for him, and for peace and freedom throughout the world. During the canonization ceremony, I exchanged greetings with the special envoys and heads of delegations from other nations.During the trip, I met with many high-ranking clergy and exchanged views regarding cooperative projects that Taiwan and the Holy See have jointly promoted in recent years including humanitarian assistance, human trafficking prevention, cultural exchanges, interfaith dialogue, and environmentally sustainable development. They all commended Taiwan's contributions and efforts on many fronts, and praised Taiwan for its democracy, rule of law, religious freedom, human rights safeguards, and environmental protection. On behalf of President Tsai, we also invited Pope Francis to make a pastoral visit to Taiwan.On this visit we attended a mass to pray for "protection of the global environment and sustainable development," held at the Chapel of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica, with Father Giovanni Chiu (邱琮傑) and Father Gino Picca (王秉鈞) as the celebrants. My wife and I prayed for God to continue to ensure protection of the global environment and sustainable development, spur cross-strait peace, and enable Chinese-speaking Catholics to enjoy complete freedom of belief in their lives.We also traveled to Loreto to visit the Holy House of Loreto, a famous Marian shrine. There we prayed to the Holy Mother Mary that she might guide the two sides of the Taiwan Strait toward the path of peaceful dialogue, and asked her to enable people throughout the world to enjoy religious freedom, democracy, rule of law, human rights, and dignity. During the Liturgy of the Word, I asked our Merciful Father to fill the hearts of the people and our public servants with wisdom and mercy, that Taiwan might flourish and prosper in the future.During this trip, I was very happy to meet over dinner with priests, members of religious orders, and nuns from Taiwan working or studying at the Holy See, as well as with foreign clergy members previously engaged in missionary work in Taiwan. On behalf of the government, I sincerely thanked them for their long years of selfless dedication to Taiwan's society and its people. I also expressed hope that they are taking good care of their health overseas, and that, in addition to performing their duties, they will also remember to pray for Taiwan. I told the clergy currently at the Vatican that Taiwan will always be their home, and that we hope they will come back to Taiwan to visit often.Finally, I want to thank Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Monsignor Arnaldo Catalan and Reverend Father Giuseppe Silvestrini of the Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan for their help, as well as our colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ROC Embassy to the Holy See, and the Taipei Representative Office in Italy for their efforts. We also want to thank the Holy See as well as the Archbishop of Loreto and the Bishop of Macerata for their warm hospitality, which ensured a smooth and successful visit. Thanks and praise be to God.The Republic of China (Taiwan) will continue cooperating with the Holy See and other countries to uphold freedom, democracy, rule of law, human rights, and peace. This is the greatest aspiration of our trip to the Holy See. We also hope that the world will become freer, more democratic, rule of law, prosperous and peaceful.Among those at the airport to greet Vice President Chen and the delegation were Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Deputy Secretary-General to the President Shih Keh-her (施克和), Nicaraguan Ambassador to Taiwan William Manuel Tapia Aleman (head of Taiwan's foreign diplomatic corps), Charge d'Affaires a.i. Monsignor Catalan, and Reverend Father Silvestrini.

Vice President Chen Chien-jen visited the Chapel of St. Peter, located beside St. Peter's Basilica, on the morning of October 14 local time (the afternoon of October 14 Taipei time) to pray for global environmental protection and sustainable development.After Vice President Chen, Mrs. Chen, and his delegation arrived at the chapel, Father Giovanni Chiu (邱琮傑), the only Taiwanese expatriate in the Vatican City, conducted the Mass, where attendants prayed for global environmental protection and sustainable development. They sincerely asked God to lay his blessings on the people of Taiwan and prayed for Taiwan's democratic development, religious freedom, economic prosperity, and societal peace.The Chapel of St. Peter, also called the Clementine Chapel, is located in the grotto's center, and its altar is located in the same place as an ancient altar in front of St. Peter's tomb, which is the most important point in St. Peter's Basilica. Thus, holding Mass in this chapel has profound spiritual meaning.

On the morning of October 13 local time (afternoon of October 13 Taipei time), Vice President Chen Chien-jen attended the canonization of British Cardinal John Henry Newman and four other blesseds.Before the ceremony began, a Vatican protocol officer escorted Vice President Chen and Mrs. Chen to greet Pope Francis. On behalf of President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President Chen invited Pope Francis to visit Taiwan and presented the pope with gifts.The Vatican protocol officer then escorted Vice President and Mrs. Chen to their seats in the square outside St. Peter's Basilica. Vice President Chen and Mrs. Chen were seated between Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourão and Ireland's Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh. Other national delegations were also present for the ceremony, including Italy (led by President Sergio Mattarella), the United Kingdom (led by HRH Prince Charles Philip Arthur George), India (led by Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs Vellamvelly Muraleedharan), and Switzerland (led by Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police Karin Keller-Sutter). Important cardinals, archbishops, and clergy members from various ministries in the Holy See also took part, and ambassadors and staff from many embassies to the Holy See also accepted invitations to attend. Over 10,000 people from around the world packed St. Peter's Square and the Via della Conciliazione to attend the canonization mass.The canonization ceremony began after the pope and co-celebrants arrived. Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, spoke about the lives of the five blesseds to be canonized, and then asked the pope whether or not he agreed to their canonization. The pope, speaking in Latin, declared the five blesseds to be saints. After the canonization ritual ended, the canonization mass immediately followed.During the Communion Rites, the vice president and his wife, as practicing Catholics, took the Eucharist, and also exchanged the sign of peace with Brazil's Vice President Mourão and Ireland's Minister for Education and Skills McHugh.In an interview after the ceremony, Vice President Chen said he was very happy that before the canonization ceremony both he and his wife were able to see Pope Francis and deliver greetings. On behalf of President Tsai and the people of Taiwan, they also invited the pope to Taiwan and presented him with gifts they had brought, including a DVD documentary on Father Matteo Ricci produced by Kuangchi Program Service. The Society of Jesus spent two years filming the documentary at locations throughout mainland China. Because Fr. Ricci was a Jesuit priest, when the pope saw the DVD disk he exclaimed, "Oh! Matteo Ricci." They also gave the pope a copy ofTaiwan Panorama magazine with a cover story reporting on foreign priests and nuns who have made tremendous contributions to Taiwan, and the pope clearly enjoyed it.The vice president mentioned that when Mrs. Chen said, "Your Holiness, we have prayed for you," the pope thanked her and happily responded, "Good! We should pray for each other," and his spirits were lifted.Vice President Chen said that seeing the burdens the pope has recently been carrying was hard to bear, but he was also happy that the pope was willing to meet with him and his wife, and so graciously accepted their good wishes and prayers. Hopefully, with the pope's blessing, Taiwan can enjoy peace and prosperity, and our people can live in happiness and joy, said the vice president.In addition to Cardinal Newman, the Holy See also canonized Daughters of Saint Camillus Founder Sister Giuseppina Vannini from Italy, Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family Founder Sister Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan from India, Sister Dulce Lopes Pontes of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God from Brazil, and Marguerite Bays, a devout Catholic from Switzerland.

On the morning of October 12 (Saturday) local time (afternoon of October 12, Taipei time), Vice President Chen Chien-jen, who is leading a delegation to attend the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman, traveled to the Territorial Prelature of Loreto to visit Archbishop Fabio Dal Cin, Prelate and Ponitifical Delegate of Loreto. That afternoon (evening of October 12, Taipei time), Vice President Chen then proceeded to the Diocese of Macerata to visit Bishop Nazzareno Marconi.After arriving in the Diocese of Loreto, Vice President and Mrs. Chen were accompanied by Archbishop Dal Cin, Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh (謝武樵), and ROC Ambassador to the Holy See Matthew S.M. Lee (李世明) to visit Loreto's Basilica della Santa Casa and museum. Vice President and Mrs. Chen then went to the Holy House of Loreto and took part in a mass where they prayed for Taiwan and joined the archbishop in reciting the Angelus. After the mass, the vice president shared lunch with the archbishop and welcomed him to visit Taiwan again.In remarks, the vice president said that he had just met with Archbishop Dal Cin this past August at the Presidential Office in Taipei on the archbishop's first visit to Taiwan, and said it was a great honor to visit the world-famous shrine to the Virgin Mary in Loreto. Noting that Pope Francis has granted a year-long Jubilee for all pilgrims who travel to Loreto by air at any time from December 8, 2019 through December 10, 2020, and that the Jubilee will open when Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Vatican, presides at the celebration of the opening of the Holy Door of the Jubilee, the vice president congratulated Archbishop Dal Cin and the Prelature of Loreto for this momentous year in the life of the Church. He expressed confidence that large numbers of pilgrims would come to Loreto during the Jubilee, and encouraged Catholics from Taiwan to make the pilgrimage if they get the opportunity.Taiwan has a Holy House of Loreto in Touwu Township, Miaoli County. It is the only place in Asia that has been authorized by the Prelature of Loreto to build a full-scale reproduction of the shrine in Loreto, for which the vice president expressed gratitude. He also said that he had been to the Holy House of Loreto in Miaoli County many times with his family and other Catholics to receive blessings. In fact, he said, the Holy House of Loreto, besides emphasizing the importance of the family, also stresses the need to care for youth and children, so that families can love and help each other while basking in the Lord's light. For Catholics, this is a wonderful inspiration from the Lord.Noting that the Bishops' Conference of Taiwan and the Holy House of Loreto in Miaoli County are both very happy to help the Prelature of Loreto provide a simultaneous broadcast in Taiwan of the opening of the Holy Door of the Jubilee on December 8, the vice president said that we are all really looking forward to the broadcast. Indeed, he said, social media such as YouTube and Twitter are very important, and to use social media to spread the Holy Mother's love throughout the land is a very good idea. "I'm very happy to see this idea carried out smoothly," said the vice president, who added that this will be an excellent area for cooperation in the future.That afternoon, Vice President and Mrs. Chen proceeded to the Diocese of Macerata, where Bishop Nazzareno Marconi accompanied them on a visit to a Marian shrine. They prayed at the shrine before taking a tour of the Matteo Ricci Institute.The vice president said he just met with Bishop Marconi at the Presidential Office during the latter's visit to Taiwan in August, and was happy to visit the historical Diocese of Macerata in Italy so soon thereafter. Macerata Diocese was also the birthplace of Jesuit Fr. Matteo Ricci, and has a deep connection to the culture of Chinese-speaking people. We have tremendous respect for Fr. Ricci's profound learning, the vice president said. He not only introduced China to Western philosophy and science, but also ushered in a new phase in Chinese civilization by producing the first world map in Chinese, a tremendous contribution.The vice president went on to say that Fr. Ricci also coined the standard terms for the geometric concepts "point," "line," and "plane." Four hundred years later, we are still studying his works, a testament to his pervasive and far-reaching impact on future generations. Taiwan's National Central Library also has a Matteo Ricci & Pacific Studies Reading Room, so we hope to have more exchanges with the Diocese of Macerata.Vice President Chen also emphasized the close ties between Taiwan and the Diocese of Macerata. The current Bishop and his predecessor have both visited Taiwan, and the diocesan Neocatechumenal Way headquarters has recently sent many of the faithful to Taiwan to help with missionary work. The vice president also welcomed Bishop Marconi to send more people to Taiwan to continue pastoral work and spread the Gospel, deepening our friendly ties.

A delegation led by Vice President Chen Chien-jen arrived at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport on the morning of October 11 local time (the afternoon of October 11 Taipei time) to attend the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman and four other blesseds. Upon leaving the plane, the vice president and his wife were immediately met by a courtesy shuttle that whisked them to the airport's state protocol lounge, where they were greeted by ROC Ambassador to the Holy See Matthew S.M. Lee (李世明).Vice President and Mrs. Chen and their delegation headed over to the ROC Embassy to the Holy See, where Ambassador Lee briefed them about their itinerary. They then toured an exhibition titled, "The Light of the World—Contemporary Arts from Taiwan."A translation of the vice president's remarks follows:I am honored that President Tsai Ing-wen appointed me to lead a delegation to the Vatican, and attend the canonization of Cardinal Newman and four other blesseds. On behalf of President Tsai, I want to convey her concern and praise to our colleagues here at the embassy for all you've all done to maintain our friendly diplomatic ties. We hope that outside your busy official duties, you will also take good care of yourselves, and your families, and continue to work for our country.Over the past few years, Taiwan and the Holy See have seen significant progress in our efforts to provide humanitarian aid, prevent human trafficking, conduct cultural exchanges, and engage in reciprocal visits. The embassy has actively deepened Taiwan-Vatican relations, and also shown great creativity in cooperating with our Ministry of Culture, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and Taiwan Art Bank to hold an exhibition titled, "The Light of the World—Contemporary Arts from Taiwan." The embassy was transformed into a beautiful art gallery using selected works with Catholic themes, or Taiwan scenery, or indigenous tribal elements.The embassy then invited Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, to attend a grand opening reception on July 3 this year for "The Light of the World—Contemporary Arts from Taiwan."I just learned that the embassy also insisted on using lighting fixtures that were Made in Taiwan to illuminate the paintings. And the aesthetic effect of that Made-in-Taiwan lighting shining on Taiwanese works of art was really impressive.Now I would like to address recent developments in Taiwan-Vatican-China relations. I firmly believe that the provisional agreement between the Vatican and China on the appointment of bishops, signed last year on September 22, will help harmonize the Universal Church and the Catholic Church in China. China then ordained two bishops in late August this year, and during the ceremony, stated that "the Pope has agreed to the persons selected." That shows that bishops in China are "appointed in Rome, by the Pope," so the Catholic Church in China has affirmed the Pope as its leader. We pray that this represents a first step toward religious freedom in China.Here, I would also like to offer special thanks to Pope Francis for the congratulatory telegram he sent the other day to mark the Republic of China's National Day. In addition to sending best wishes to President Tsai and the people of Taiwan, the Pope also prayed to continue working together with the people of Taiwan to promote values like peace, justice, and unity.In closing, I hope that everyone here at the embassy will redouble their efforts, and maximize their contributions to Taiwan by continuing to deepen substantive, bilateral exchanges between Taiwan and the Holy See, based on universal values like religious freedom, democracy, and human rights.Earlier, Vice President and Mrs. Chen had visited the Taipei Representative Office in Italy, where Representative Lee Sing-Ying (李新穎) briefed them. The vice president thanked all the staff stationed there for their many years of dedication and hard work.A translation of the vice president's remarks follows:I remember that last October, when I led a delegation to the Holy See to attend the canonization of Pope Paul VI, I also visited this Office, and met with Representative Lee and our colleagues here today. I was quite impressed with your efforts to promote exchanges in government, the economy, academics, and tourism.Beginning this past June, for example, the Italian government has allowed Taiwanese travelers to use the E-Gate system to quickly complete entry and exit procedures at Rome Airport, and five other major Italian airports. The Italian Civil Aviation Authority has also granted approval for Eva Airlines to begin operating four direct flights each week between Taipei and Milan. Those flights will begin next February. I am confident that these achievements will help promote friendly cooperation between Taiwan and Italy in the future.I expect that the Taipei Representative Office in Italy will expand on our existing strong foundation of bilateral friendship to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation in economics and trade, high technology, industry, culture, and the arts.

On the evening of October 10, Vice President Chen Chien-jen embarked on a trip to the Holy See to attend the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman and four other blesseds. The vice president delivered remarks before boarding the plane, explaining that the purpose of this visit is not only to express our congratulations on the canonization of Cardinal Newman and the others, but also to convey greetings of utmost respect to Pope Francis on behalf of President Tsai, the people of Taiwan, and all the Catholic faithful. The vice president said he will pray for lasting diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Holy See, and sustainable peace for the whole world. He will also pray to the Lord to bless all the Catholics in the Chinese-speaking world who are undergoing hardships and living in difficult environments, and hopes that freedom of religion will spread to every corner of the globe.A translation of Vice President Chen's remarks follows:I am departing today as President Tsai Ing-wen's envoy together with my wife and Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh (謝武樵) to the Holy See to attend the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman and four other blesseds on October 13. I feel honored and grateful to make this trip, and that all of you have made a special trip to the airport to see us off.The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Holy See share close ties, and our cooperation in recent years has yielded significant results in such areas as humanitarian assistance, the prevention of human trafficking, cultural exchanges, interfaith dialogue, and the promotion of sustainable development. The government and people of Taiwan will continue taking concrete action to support Pope Francis in his efforts to spread religious freedom, democracy, human rights, social justice, peace, and care for the disadvantaged across the world.Cardinal Newman was a deeply learned man who dared to discuss fundamental religious issues and questions of doctrine. During the Second Vatican Council, which ran from 1962 to 1965, his ideas figured prominently in discussions and had a profound impact on Catholicism and the entire world. Cardinal Newman firmly believed that religious faith is "a heart-to-heart conversation with God." He also said that religion should maintain its impartial and pure essence, and that it should not take on the slightest hint of political ideology. I strongly agree with his views, and greatly respect him for taking this position.The other blesseds scheduled to be canonized are: Sister Giuseppina Vannini, who devoted herself to apostolic and social work; Sister Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, who spent a lifetime helping disadvantaged families and founded schools and an orphanage; Sister Dulce Lopes Pontes, who treated the sick and helped the poor get access to medical treatment; and Marguerite Bays, a devout Catholic who devoted her life to the church and to helping the needy. Their selfless spirit of service is moving and worthy of our emulation.On this trip, I will attend a canonization ceremony presided over by Pope Francis, to whom I will extend highest regards on behalf of President Tsai, the people of Taiwan, and all the Catholic faithful. I will also invite the pope to visit Taiwan, and convey a very sincere invitation on behalf of all our Catholic brethren. I will also meet with Taiwanese priests, brothers, and nuns stationed at the Holy See, as well as with foreign clergy members who have previously served in Taiwan. I will take this opportunity to thank them for the support and concern they've shown for Taiwanese society, and for the sacrifices they've made.In addition, while at St. Peter's Basilica I intend to visit St. Peter's Chapel to pray for global environmental protection and sustainable development, to ask God to bestow blessings upon the people of Taiwan, and to pray for the development of democracy, religious freedom, economic prosperity, and social harmony in Taiwan. I will also pray for our Lord to bless all the Catholics in the Chinese-speaking world who are undergoing hardships and living in difficult environments. We hope that freedom of religion will spread to every corner of the globe, Chinese-speaking Catholics will be able to live a normal life of faith as soon as possible, and that their local churches can become one with the worldwide Catholic Church.Finally, I would like to once again thank everyone for making a special trip here to see us off. To all of my fellow citizens, let us pray for lasting friendship between Taiwan and the Holy See, for Taiwan's future development, for the world's sustainable peace, and for good health, well-being, and happiness for the people of Taiwan.Among those at the airport to see Vice President Chen and the delegation off were Deputy Secretary-General to the President Shih Keh-her (施克和), Nicaraguan Ambassador to Taiwan William Manuel Tapia Aleman (head of Taiwan's foreign diplomatic corps), and Charge d'Affaires a.i. Monsignor Arnaldo Catalan of the Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan.

The Office of the President held a press conference on the morning of October 1 to announce that Vice President Chen Chien-jen will lead a delegation to the Holy See from October 10-15 to attend the canonization ceremony of Cardinal John Henry Newman and four other blesseds.During the press conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh (謝武樵) explained the planned itinerary, saying that the Holy See will hold the canonization ceremony for Cardinal John Henry Newman and four other blesseds on October 13. In light of the 77 years of formal diplomatic ties between the Republic of China and the Holy See, and the importance of our bilateral cooperation and exchanges, President Tsai has designated Vice President Chen, a devout Catholic, as her special envoy to convey sincere best wishes to the pope on behalf of the government, people, and Catholic community of Taiwan.Deputy Foreign Minister Hsieh said that this visit has been codenamed the "Holy Virtue Project," as Vice President Chen will attend the canonization ceremony as a special envoy to commemorate the benevolence and virtue of the Catholic community's ancestors. The delegation will depart on the evening of October 10 and return to Taiwan in the early morning of October 15, with a four-day, three-night stay at the Holy See.Deputy Foreign Minister Hsieh stated that the canonization ceremony is a religious event, and in keeping with Vatican convention and protocol, in addition to Vice President Chen, the official delegation will also include the vice president's wife and Mr. Hsieh himself, as well as the eight requisite support staff, for a total of 11 persons.As to the focus of the vice president's agenda at the Holy See, Deputy Foreign Minister Hsieh said that the most important event will be attending the canonization ceremony. In keeping with Vatican convention, prior to and following the ceremony, the delegation head and spouse from each national delegation will have an audience with Pope Francis, and Vice President Chen and his wife will extend sincere congratulations to the pope on behalf of Taiwan's government, people, and Catholic community.Deputy Foreign Minister Hsieh then said that during their visit to the Holy See, Vice President Chen and his wife will also visit the Embassy of the ROC (Taiwan) to the Holy See, see the embassy-organized "Light of the World Art Exhibit," meet with Taiwanese and foreign clerical personnel who previously served in Taiwan, and visit Catholic pilgrimage sites.Deputy Minister Hsieh stated that in addition to Cardinal Newman, the Holy See will also canonize Daughters of Saint Camillus Founder Sister Giuseppina Vannini from Italy, Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family Founder Sister Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan from India, Sister Dulce Lopes Pontes of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God from Brazil, and Marguerite Bays, a devout Catholic from Switzerland. Though they lived at different times in the 19th and 20th centuries, they all maintained a firm conviction in their faith, and strived to serve the lonely and promote love through their evangelization.Deputy Minister Hsieh emphasized that during his visit, Vice President Chen will express Taiwan's sincere respect for the aforementioned five blesseds, and strengthen interactions and friendship between Taiwan and the Holy See.