President Chen Shui-bian (
Monsigneur Ambrose Madtha, the charge d'affaires of the Vatican Embassy extended an invitation to Chen to attend the Pope's funeral in person on behalf of the Republic of China.
Chen expressed his gratitude for the invitation, but did not give a direct response as to whether or not he would be able to make the trip.
PHOTO: CNA
The Holy See is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Europe. But to get to the Vatican, Chen would have to travel through Italy, which has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Chen was accompanied to the Vatican Embassy yesterday by Presidential Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (
Earlier in the day, the president delivered formal condolences for the Pope's death in a brief statement from the Presidential Office, branding the day of the Polish pontiff's passing as "the saddest day of the entire human race."
In his somber words of praise for the "religion beacon," Chen hailed the Pope's legacy, his impeccable character and echoed the Pope's call that "peace is founded on the solid pillars of truth, justice, love and freedom."
"Catholics around the world have lost their most beloved shepherd, and so have peace and democracy-lovers around the world, who have lost a strong leader," said the president in his condolence speech yesterday on behalf of the government and Taiwan's 23 million people.
"Only the Pope could let there be a moment of introspection and tranquility in this much-confused world; only the Pope could let people around the world embrace a common belief and be the focal point of their affection," Chen said.
The president said that it has been the Pope's lifetime effort to convince governments to discard the use of "non-peaceful means" to settle international disputes and to resolve disputes through diplomacy and international mediation.
"And all that should be a goal striven for by all the members of today's democratic societies," Chen said.
Chen stated his belief that "only when both sides of the Strait respect and live up to the Four Pillars [of Peace] could peace be prevailed across the Strait."
Chen took the opportunity also at the venue to reiterate Taiwan's determination to play the role of a "loyal guard of international order" and a "staunch supporter of democracy and peace."
"Only when we exercise democracy, peace, freedom and respect, can the people live in a world that's free of violence, war and discrimination," he said.
Recalling his wife, Wu Shu-jen (
"She then sighed with emotion, saying that if people around the would could all be like Pope John Paul II and have a big heart, then tragedies such as violence, war and non-peaceful tragic dramas would not happen in this world," Chen said.
Upon hearing of the passing of the Pope on Sunday, Chen had also instructed the Presidential Office and Cabinet buildings to fly their flags at half-mast on Sunday and yesterday.
Premier Frank Hsieh (
Hsieh said John Paul II is one of the great figures of the 20th century. His passing is a loss for the whole of humanity.
additional reporting by Rich Chang
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