President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Sunday sent a letter to Pope Francis, wishing him a happy 87th birthday on behalf of Taiwan and lauding his “courage in defending the universal values of freedom, justice and peace.”
Taiwanese are “overwhelmingly supportive of your humble service to all the faithful and the secular population,” Tsai wrote in the letter, which was sent to the pope via Taiwan’s embassy in the Holy See and posted in Chinese on the embassy’s Facebook account.
“While the world is torn by conflicts and disagreements, we strongly endorse the efforts led by the Holy See to preserve peace, overcome divisions and engage in dialogue,” she wrote.
Photo: EPA-EFE
Taiwan will continue to work closely with the Vatican to deliver humanitarian aid to people in need around the world, she said.
On behalf of the government and Taiwanese, she expressed “heartfelt” wishes for Francis’ “good health, spiritual vitality and never-ending enthusiasm.”
She encouraged the pope to continue sharing his message of peace, love and reconciliation, which she said is “urgently needed” at this time.
Reuters reported that Francis marked his birthday by inviting a group of children and their parents to the Vatican’s audience hall on Sunday, where he shared his birthday cake with them after blowing out his candles.
Last month, Francis canceled a planned trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the UN’s COP28 climate summit due to a respiratory illness, the report said.
The Vatican is one of 13 sovereign entities that maintains full diplomatic ties with the Republic of China, but its relations with Beijing have warmed since Francis assumed the papacy in 2013.
In 2018, Beijing and the Vatican struck a historic deal to work together on appointing Chinese bishops, which was extended for a second time last year.
However, tensions have risen, after Beijing contravened the agreement by unilaterally making those appointments.
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