Taipei is paying close attention to the Vatican's relationship with Beijing after the passing of Pope Francis. The Holy See stands as Taiwan's only official diplomatic partner in Europe. The Catholic Church has been building stronger ties with China in recent years, a move that has captured Taiwan's attention. The island nation is carefully watching to see how the new Pope will handle these delicate diplomatic and religious issues.
While the Vatican maintains formal ties with Taiwan, its engagement with China has increased, particularly regarding the appointment of bishops. This engagement raises questions about the future of the Vatican's relationship with Taiwan and the potential impact on Taiwan's international standing. Taiwan's government recognizes the importance of religious freedom and hopes the Vatican will continue to advocate for religious freedom in China. The situation remains fluid, and Taiwan is committed to monitoring developments closely and maintaining open communication channels with the Vatican.
Taiwan Monitors Vatican-China Ties After Papal Transition
Following the death of Pope Francis, Taiwan is closely observing the evolving relationship between the Vatican and China. The Holy See is Taiwan's sole European diplomatic ally, making this dynamic particularly significant. Recent years have seen increased engagement between the Catholic Church and Beijing, raising concerns in Taipei. The island nation is keen to understand how the new Pope will approach these complex diplomatic and religious matters.