On the 5th, former Chinese Vice President Chen Jianren represented President Tsai in the funeral mass of Pope Benedict XVI presided over by Pope Francis in the square in front of St. Peter's Cathedral, expressing sincere condolences from President Tsai and the people of Taiwan .

(Provided by the Chinese Embassy in the Holy See)

[Reporter Yang Chengyu/Taipei Report] Our embassy in the Holy See issued a press release today (5th) stating that former Vice President Chen Jianren represented President Tsai today to participate in Pope Francis’ pre-pope The funeral mass of Benedict XVI expressed the sincere condolences from President Tsai and the people of Taiwan to the high level of the Holy See, and also paid tribute to the heads of state and dignitaries who came to the funeral.

The embassy in the Holy See pointed out that the funeral on the 5th included official delegations from various countries, heads of the Holy See ministries, high-level clergy, diplomatic missions to the Holy See, and Catholics from all over the world. The number of attendees was estimated to be about 100,000. respect and remembrance.

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The embassy in the Holy See stated that after Chen Jianren and his party arrived at the venue, they were seated in the special envoy area under the guidance of the Holy See officials. , Foreign Minister Archbishop Greg (Arch. Paul Richard Gallagher), Protocol Department Director Mons. Joseph Murphy and other senior officials of the Holy See expressed their condolences.

Officials of the Holy See are grateful for the friendship from Taiwan, and at the same time thank all walks of life in Taiwan for attaching importance to the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

The embassy in the Holy See pointed out that more than 20 countries sent official delegations to attend the funeral of Benedict XVI. The President of Hungary, the President of Poland, the President of Slovenia, the President of Lithuania, the President of Togo, the Queen and Prime Minister of Spain, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, the Prime Minister of Slovakia and other distinguished guests.

During the ceremony, Chen Chien-jen interacted appropriately with political leaders from various countries, which will help increase Taiwan's visibility in the international community.

The embassy in the Holy See mentioned that Pope Francis has recently suffered from a knee injury. He arrived at the ceremony venue today in a wheelchair, and walked slowly to the altar to preside over the Mass with the support of the ceremony officer.

The Pope mostly presided over the whole process in a sitting position, with a good complexion and tone of speech. During the sermon, he especially thanked Benedict XVI for his lifelong contribution to the church and the example he left to the world.

The embassy in the Holy See said that after the funeral mass, Chen Jianren met with Card. Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Minister of Evangelization of the Holy See, and Card. Filoni, the Special Representative of the Holy See to the Knights of Malta, Card. Silvano Tomasi, and many other high-level friends of the Holy See greeted and greeted each other. friends.

Li Shiming, Ambassador to the Holy See, also introduced to Chen Jianren the members of the diplomatic corps from the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and other countries present, strengthening the bilateral friendship.

The embassy in the Holy See said that Chen Jianren went to the Pontifical Propaganda University College on the afternoon of the 5th local time to participate in the "Three Kings Epiphany" mass presided over by Cardinal Tagle, the Minister of the Evangelization, in honor of Benedict XVI and the world's sustainable development. Sincere prayers for peace and Taiwan.

It is expected to take a flight back to Taiwan in the early morning of tomorrow (6th) Taiwan time, ending this journey of mourning and remembrance.