Republic of China (Taiwan) Vice President Chen Chien-jen received Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, May 18 at the Office of the President in Taipei City, stating that the ROC and Holy See will work together to strengthen bilateral relations and promote democracy, freedom and human rights around the world.
The government and people of the ROC welcome Baldisseri, who was famously photographed by the international media having a red hat bestowed upon him by Pope Francis, Chen said. This great honor confirmed the trust and value invested in the cardinal by the pope, he added.
Chen visited the Vatican in September 2016 for the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta as a special envoy of President Tsai Ing-wen. He conveyed his highest regards to the pope on behalf of Tsai, as well as the people of Taiwan and Catholics nationwide. The vice president also met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Baldisseri, who arrived May 15 on a four-day visit to Taiwan, was appointed secretary general of the Synod of Bishops by the pope in 2013 and promoted to the rank of cardinal deacon the following year. His trip is at the invitation of the Holy See’s Apostolic Nunciature in the ROC.
During the cardinal’s time in country, he attended a regional conference organized by the Federation of Asian Bishop’s Conferences, a reception hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs David Tawei Lee and visited cultural and educational sites in northern Taiwan such as Dalongdong Baoan Temple, Fu Jen Catholic University, National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and National Palace Museum.
While touring the temple, Baldisseri met with its President Liao Wu-jyh and expressed the gratitude of the pope for the efforts of Taipei Baoan Temple Foundation in organizing an international conference on interreligious dialogue between Christians and Taoists in October last year.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a large number of charitable organizations and committees from the Holy See regularly engage in cooperation and exchanges with the ROC, as well as hold international activities in Taiwan.
Such undertakings are welcomed by the government and people of the ROC, the MOFA said, adding that the country will strive to increase bilateral exchanges across a range of related fields going forward. The ROC established diplomatic relations in 1942 with the Holy See. (CPY-E)
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