TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Pope Leo XIV wished peace for Taiwan to a couple of Taiwanese newlyweds he met at the Vatican, reports said Saturday.

As he met the couple during an audition Wednesday, his eyes lit up when he heard the mention of Taiwan, according to a Facebook post by the Taiwan mission at the Holy See. Leo promised to pray for Taiwan, saying he hoped there would be no war.

Justin Wu (吳君健) and Chen Szu-ying (陳思穎), who were married in May, waited for more than five hours outside in the European sun before meeting the Pope. They had been visiting the Vatican as part of the Taiwan delegation attending the June 1-5 Global 2033 Catholic-led conference.

The event counted 171 delegates from more than 70 countries, and they all knew Taiwan, Chen said. She emphasized how at the end of their prayers, they exclaimed “Taiwan will be safe!”

The Vatican is Taiwan’s only official diplomatic ally in Europe. Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) represented President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) at the May 18 inauguration ceremony of US Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV.