Diplomat delivers accreditation to Vatican's top representative
In a significant development, Anthony Ho (賀忠義) has taken up his post as the new ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See, following his presentation of the Letter of Credence to Pope Leo XIV on July 3, 2025. Ho succeeded Matthew Lee (李世明) who retired as Taiwan’s ambassador to the Vatican in May.
Ho's appointment holds significance given his Catholic faith, which aligns with the Holy See's religious identity. During his audience with Pope Leo XIV, Ho extended greetings from Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, Premier Cho Jung-tai, and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, and also relayed the prayers of Taiwan’s Catholic community.
The meeting between the two leaders was marked by a focus on shared humanitarian values. Ho highlighted Taiwan’s support for freedom of religion and its humanitarian efforts during global crises, such as the donation of intubation equipment to Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic by then Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Men-an. This gesture was appreciated by the Vatican, which has been a long-standing advocate for global aid and religious freedom.
The formal establishment of a new ambassador underscores the continued diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Holy See, a relationship that is increasingly rare due to political pressure from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which does not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state. The Vatican is one of only a few European states that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, rather than the PRC.
Anthony Ho’s Catholic identity and his references to shared humanitarian values may help strengthen symbolic and moral support from the Vatican. The meeting and the messages conveyed—highlighting Taiwan’s commitment to human rights, religious freedom, and global aid—signal a willingness to maintain and possibly deepen relations, despite ongoing pressure from the PRC to shift recognition.
In conclusion, Anthony Ho’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV reinforces the robust, albeit increasingly unique, diplomatic relationship between Taiwan and the Vatican, and reaffirms Taiwan’s commitment to religious freedom and humanitarian values. The Holy See remains the only formal diplomatic ally of Taiwan in Europe, with formal diplomatic ties between the two entities being established in 1942.
- The Catholic identity of the new Taiwanese ambassador, Anthony Ho, aligns with the religious identity of the Holy See, making his appointment significant in the realm of general-news and politics.
- The focus on shared humanitarian values during Ho's meeting with Pope Leo XIV underscores the importance of Taiwan's support for freedom of religion and global aid, aspects that the Vatican has long advocated for, as highlighted in the discussion of the donation to Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic.
