Pope Leo XIV expressed concern over rising tensions in East Asia and called for peaceful dialogue during his annual New Year's address to the diplomatic corps.
The New Year's audience is considered a cornerstone of Vatican diplomacy. The Vatican is Taiwan's sole diplomatic ally in Europe.
Taiwan's ambassador to the Holy See ... Anthony Ho ... shook hands with the Pope and conveyed greetings and well-wishes from Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
Ho also thanked the Pope for twice offering public prayers for Taiwanese people affected by typhoons since his inauguration last May.
In his speech, Pope Leo warned that war is once again prevailing, lamenting that global peace increasingly relies on force rather than justice. In his comments about East Asia, he didn't specifically mention China or Taiwan.
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