Vatican City: The outgoing Republic of China (Taiwan) ambassador to the Holy See expressed optimism about the future of Taiwan-Vatican relations under the leadership of newly elected Pope Leo XIV. Ambassador Matthew Lee, who is set to retire and leave the Vatican on Friday, shared his thoughts with CNA regarding the potential for improved diplomatic ties.

According to Focus Taiwan, Lee emphasized that the new pontiff, Robert Prevost, the 267th pope, has a keen understanding of the differences between democratic Taiwan and communist China. Lee, who has served as Taiwan's ambassador to the Holy See since 2015, recounted his meeting with Prevost on September 30, 2023. During this meeting, Lee congratulated Prevost on his appointment as a cardinal by the late Pope Francis. Lee noted that Prevost immediately recognized Taiwan and expressed gratitude for the well wishes.

Following the election of Pope Leo XIV, Anthony Ho is set to succeed Lee as Taiwan's ambassador to the Holy See. Reflecting on the papacy of the late Pope Francis, whom he knew during his tenure as Taiwan's representative to Argentina from 2011 to 2014, Lee discussed the Vatican's 2018 provisional agreement with Beijing. This agreement, aimed at promoting religious freedom in China, grants the Pope the final say on the appointment of bishops in China, affirming his authority over the Catholic Church there. However, Lee pointed out that China's decision to bar its bishops from attending Pope Francis's funeral has raised concerns within the Church, describing it as a "cold response."

According to a biography released by Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV, aged 69, is noted as "the second Roman Pontiff from the Americas, after Pope Francis." The biography highlights his extensive missionary work in Peru before his 2023 appointment in Rome to lead the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.