Former Vice President Chen Jianren (left) visited the Holy See as the special envoy of the President to attend the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. On the right is Li Shiming, Ambassador to the Holy See.

(The picture is taken from the Facebook page of the Chinese Embassy in the Holy See)

[Central News Agency] Former Vice President Chen Jianren went to the Holy See to attend the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as a special envoy of the President. He arrived at noon today in Rome time, and went to St. Peter's Basilica in the afternoon to pay his respects. Francis Zong personally presided over the funeral, expressing the deepest condolences on behalf of Taiwan.

The embassy in the Vatican told the Central News Agency that after Chen Jianren arrived at Rome Da Vinci Airport in Italy, he was picked up by the ambassador to the Vatican Li Shiming and staff from foreign embassies, and first went to the embassy in the Vatican for inspection.

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Chen Jianren made a brief speech at the embassy, ​​saying that he visited the Holy See last September as a special envoy of the President, attended the beatification ceremony held by Pope John Paul I, and came to the Holy See as a special envoy for the second time in a short period of time. It is a great honor and responsibility, and this time it is even more mournful and grateful.

Chen Chien-jen said that President Tsai was particularly grateful for the close and friendly interactions between Pope Benedict XVI and Taiwan during his reign. This time, sending a special envoy to attend the funeral shows Taiwan's respect for Benedict XVI and respects Benedict XVI. profound influence across cultures and religions.

Chen Chien-jen said that the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and the Holy See is close, and the two sides are allies of the international community who uphold universal values ​​such as democracy, human rights, and freedom.

During his visit to the Holy See as a special envoy this time, he also hopes to use various opportunities to thank the Catholic Church for its long-term assistance in Taiwan's education, medical care, and humanitarian fields.

The embassy in the Holy See pointed out that Chen Jianren's delegation then went to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican at 14:45 pm under the arrangement of the protocol officials of the Holy See, and visited and prayed in the special envoy area next to the body of the former Pope Benedict XVI.

According to the entourage, Chen Jianren, a devout Catholic, expressed his sincere condolences to the State Council of the Holy See on behalf of President Tsai and the Taiwan government and people in St. Peter's Basilica. He visited the remains and prayed for about 15 minutes. Believers from all over the world prayed with one heart, and the atmosphere was solemn and solemn.

The embassy in the Holy See pointed out that according to the estimates of the protocol officials of the Holy See, more than 150,000 people have queued up since the remains were open to the public from 9:00 am on January 2 to 3:00 pm today.

During this period, Pope Francis, Italian President, Prime Minister, German President, heads of Holy See ministries, and cardinals all came to express their condolences.

The embassy in the Holy See stated that the Holy See officials especially expressed their gratitude to Taiwan for attaching importance to the funeral of Benedict XVI, and thanked Chen Chien-jen for traveling so far to come here by plane.

After paying homage to the remains, Chen Jianren went to visit the Vatican Library, where he was received by the new chief curator, Archbishop Msgr. Angelo Vincenzo Zani. Exchange views on topics such as the co-organized collection exhibition in Taipei.

Chen Jianren was appointed by the Pope as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in July 2021, and was appointed as a member of the Council of the Academy in October of the same year. Chen Jianren specially arranged a dinner with Card. Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, tonight.

Cardinal Tu Kesen has repeatedly praised Chen Jianren's contribution to the Academy of Sciences, and believes that Taiwan's scientific research achievements will bring new vitality to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.