TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Less than a month after attending the funeral of Pope Francis, former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) will travel to the Vatican again to attend the May 18 inauguration ceremony of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.

The Vatican is Taiwan’s only official diplomatic ally in Europe, fueling hopes that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) would have been able to attend the papal inauguration. Instead, the Presidential Office confirmed Wednesday evening that Chen would serve as Taiwan’s special envoy to congratulate Pope Leo, the Liberty Times reported.

The former vice president and ex-premier is known as a practicing Catholic and frequent visitor to the Vatican. Pope Francis also appointed him to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Chen told PTS Saturday that Pope Leo is planning to receive the Taiwanese delegation on Friday, two days before his inauguration.