One of Taiwan's most prominent Catholics, former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, has invited Pope Leo XIV to Taiwan while serving as Taiwan's envoy at the papal inauguration.
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00:00Pope Leo XIV waves to the 250,000 Catholics, dignitaries and other visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square for his inauguration.
00:10The crowd is gathered from all corners of the world.
00:13They include well-wishers from the U.S. excited to see the first ever pope from their country.
00:18Very, very excited. He's the first American pope. Yes, we're very proud of that.
00:23And closer to home, Italian Catholics.
00:26I like his personality and hope he can continue on the path paved by Pope Francis.
00:34Security is tight as dignitaries and heads of state gather for an inaugural mass.
00:42Representing Taiwan is former Vice President Chen Jianren, a leading member of Taiwan's small Catholic community.
00:48The Vatican is one of 12 states that have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and the only one in Europe.
00:54So even at a time when Taiwan is shut out from many big global events due to Chinese objections,
00:59it's still able to have a presence at those connected to the papacy.
01:03At this papal inauguration, he's had a chance to rub shoulders with other dignitaries, like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
01:11But Chen has also arrived with a message and an invitation for the new pope.
01:16Dayuan is home to just a few hundred thousand of the world's more than 1 billion Catholics,
01:21and we have more friends with each other,
01:24and we can help each other with each other.
01:27Of course, we are also looking forward to
01:29that one day we can visit Taiwan.
01:33Taiwan is home to just a few hundred thousand
01:35of the world's more than one billion Catholics,
01:37but its president hopes the arrival of the new pope
01:40will help strengthen one of the country's
01:41oldest diplomatic alliances.
01:44Eason Chen and John Van Trieste for Taiwan Plus.