Taiwan Celebrates 115th National Day with Rome Reception

ROME, ROME, ITALY, October 15, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- On October 7, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) celebrated the 115th National Day of the Republic of China with a reception at the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome. The event, which highlighted 400 years of Catholic ties and cooperation, drew more than 200 guests, including cardinals, Holy See officials, representatives of religious orders, and members of the Taiwanese community.

Cardinal Fabio Baggio, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, offered a blessing to those present, expressing hope that cities around the world might become places of fraternity and peace. Cardinal Baggio also thanked those working to make the collaboration between Taiwan, the Holy See, and local Churches around the world "very concrete and very effective."

The Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Holy See, Anthony C. Y. Ho, highlighted the special historical significance of 2026 for Taiwan and the Catholic Church. He noted that St. Peter’s Basilica was completed in 1626, the same year Dominican missionaries arrived in Taiwan, opening a decisive chapter in the encounter between the Gospel and Taiwanese society.

Over four centuries, the Catholic community has become a trusted partner of Taiwanese society, contributing significantly to education, healthcare, social services, and care for the most vulnerable. Ambassador Ho explained that in 2025, the Jubilee Year of Hope, the Embassy adopted the English acronym H.O.P.E. as a framework for its cooperation initiatives: Humanity, Opportunity, Partnership, and Encounter. These four pillars have guided cooperation with the Holy See, the Catholic Church, and numerous Christian-inspired organizations.

More than 50,000 people have benefited from these initiatives, which focused on five major areas: education and technology empowerment, health advancement, poverty alleviation, care for children and youth, and women’s empowerment. The support extended beyond Italian Catholic organizations to several countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

In his address, Ambassador Ho also referred to the political, economic, and security challenges shaping the current international landscape. He emphasized Taiwan's commitment to peace, stability, and democracy, while actively promoting economic and technological innovation. He recalled Magnifica Humanitas, the encyclical promulgated by Pope Leo XIV last May, which addresses the human and ethical challenges posed by the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence. According to Ambassador Ho, this perspective converges with statements by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who has repeatedly emphasized that the development of AI should uphold ethics, democracy, and inclusion, so that technological progress can genuinely benefit everyone and leave no one behind.

The reception’s central message was summarized in three commitments: building on 400 years of shared history, remaining connected through shared values, and moving toward the future through concrete cooperation.

During the event, a video presenting the results of the cooperation was screened, featuring messages of congratulations and goodwill from Taiwan’s partners in Africa. Works by Taiwanese artist Hsieh Sheng-Min were also presented, combining the Catholic faith with elements of the island’s traditional culture. The exhibition paid tribute to the artist’s contribution to cultural and religious exchanges between Taiwan and the Holy See.