Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) will be attending Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican as a special presidential envoy this Saturday, local time. Before departing, Chen said that he thanked God for having had the opportunity to meet the former pope six times, and further that he would pray for Francis’ spirit in heaven to continue to bless the relationship between Taiwan and the Vatican.
Chen was chosen to attend as President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) envoy not only because of his special relationship with former Pope Francis, but also because he is a practicing Catholic and was appointed as a Pontifical Academy of Sciences member by the Vatican. He shared that Lai had asked him to pay special tribute to the religious leader by praying for his peace in heaven and peace and sustainability for those left behind.
The former vice president also shared that he thought of Francis as a humble idealist role model for both Catholics and for all mankind. He echoed two of the pope’s most well-known quotes: “A shepherd must smell of their flock,” and that “True power is taking care of the weakest.” Chen emphasized that the pope’s leadership and promotion of peace, freedom, democracy, and concern for global change taught him personally and earned the admiration of people around the world.
Pope Francis made great contributions to human society around the world, Chen said. As an example to all countries of peace, universal values, and humanitarian aid, he will be dearly missed by many. Chen plans to pay tribute to the former leader not only on behalf of Taiwan, but for all the Catholics he represents.