TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met the special envoy of the Vatican, Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Europe, at the Presidential Office Tuesday (May 21).

Lai told Charles John Brown, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines, that he hoped the two sides could protect regional peace and religious freedoms. He said in a response to calls from Pope Francis, Taiwan had taken up more responsibility in humanitarian relief activities and increased its contributions to the global community.

After the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war, Taiwan had donated power generators, winter clothing, and medicine to Ukraine following requests from the Vatican, Lai said. Taiwan had also restored basic infrastructure in the war-torn country.

The president thanked Brown for the Holy See’s concern after the April 3 Hualien earthquake. He asked the envoy to convey his best wishes to Pope Francis. 

Last week, Deputy Environment Minister Shih Wen-chen (施文真) met with the Pope after attending a conference at the Vatican about climate change.