Story perspectives

Pope Leo XIV’s Birthday Greeting Spurs Taiwan-Vatican Dialogue

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 10:24 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Lai Sends Pope Greetings

President Lai Ching-te sent birthday greetings to Pope Leo XIV on his 71st birthday.
Taiwan’s embassy in the Holy See forwarded the greeting to the Vatican Secretariat.
Lai praised the pope’s steadfast leadership and efforts to promote world peace through dialogue.
Pope Leo XIV, elected May 2025 as 267th head of the Catholic Church, remains Taiwan’s only European ally since 1942.

Summary

Leo Restores Salaries

Pope Leo XIV issued a motu proprio restoring salaries to cardinals and Vatican staff on Sept. 1.
He announced a new modern building on a Vatican parking lot to house the Library and Archives.
He inaugurated the “AQVA” exhibition featuring JR’s 70-meter “Diluvium” wave at the Library.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella praised Leo’s peace appeals and pledged state cooperation with his mission.

1 of 2

Lai Sends Pope Greetings

President Lai Ching-te sent birthday greetings to Pope Leo XIV on his 71st birthday.
Taiwan’s embassy in the Holy See forwarded the greeting to the Vatican Secretariat.
Lai praised the pope’s steadfast leadership and efforts to promote world peace through dialogue.
Pope Leo XIV, elected May 2025 as 267th head of the Catholic Church, remains Taiwan’s only European ally since 1942.

1 / 2