Prayers offered by Pope Leo XIV for those in Taiwan affected by Typhoon Danas are deeply appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said July 17.
The MOFA statement followed remarks made by Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni July 16 that the pope had been praying after learning about the casualties and severe damage caused by the typhoon and had instructed the Office of Papal Charities to provide concrete aid to the people of Taiwan.
According to the MOFA, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung thanked the pope on behalf of President Lai Ching-te for expressing concern over losses and offering prayers in the spirit of God’s love for all people. Lai has instructed the Embassy of the ROC (Taiwan) to the Holy See to convey gratitude to the pope, Lin said, adding that this warmth has transcended the geographical distance between Taiwan and the Vatican to bring the two sides closer together.
The MOFA will continue to cooperate with Pope Leo XIV to promote humanitarian assistance and charity work and jointly advance universal values shared by all humankind, the ministry added.
The Office of Papal Charities is the Holy See department charged with assisting those in need in the name of the pope. (YCH-E)
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