Taiwan Monitors Vatican-China Relations after Pope Francis' Death

Following the death of Pope Francis, Taiwan is closely watching the Vatican's evolving relationship with China, as the Holy See remains the only European state to maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei. Despite having far fewer Catholics than mainland China, Taiwan fears that the Vatican’s growing engagement with Beijing—highlighted by a 2018 agreement on bishop appointments—could eventually shift diplomatic recognition away from Taipei. The Holy See insists the agreement with China is pastoral rather than political, but for Taiwan, it signals potential diplomatic vulnerability. President Lai of Taiwan initially planned to attend the pope’s funeral, but the Vatican instead accepted former Vice President Chen Chien-jen as the official envoy, reflecting possible sensitivity to Beijing. China’s muted response to Pope Francis’ death and its ongoing restrictions on religious freedom further underscore the complexity and tensions in Sino-Vatican relations. Experts suggest that while the Vatican must engage with powerful states like China, the succession of a new pope could shape the future of Vatican-Taiwan-China dynamics.