Lai voices concern over Pope Francis' health: MOFA

Taipei, Feb. 25 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has expressed Taiwan's concern for Pope Francis' health and offered his wishes for the pope's swift recovery, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.

The 88-year-old Pope Francis has remained in critical condition since this past weekend, battling pneumonia in both lungs and other issues, after he was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital over a week ago.

Asked for Taiwan's response to the pope's health issues, MOFA spokesman Hsiao Kuangwei (蕭光偉) said President Lai has expressed the concerns of the government and Taiwan's people over the pope's health via the country's embassy in the Vatican and is praying for his swift recovery.

Ambassador Mathew Lee (李世明) also took part in a recitation of the Rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square led by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin beginning Monday night (Vatican time), Hsiao said at a MOFA weekly news briefing Tuesday.

The pontiff was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14 for a case of bronchitis. Shortly after that, the Vatican announced Francis had developed pneumonia in both lungs, and required further treatment.

On Monday, Vatican said Pope Francis showed "slight improvement" and was able to resume some of his work while still in critical condition.

The Holy See is the only diplomatic ally of the Republic of China (ROC), the official name of Taiwan, in Europe. They were established in 1942 when the ROC government was still based in mainland China.

The Vatican's relations with Beijing have warmed, however, since Francis assumed the papacy in 2013.

In 2018, Beijing and the Vatican struck a historic deal to work together on appointing Chinese bishops, which is expected to be extended for a third time later this year.

Tensions in the relationship have developed since then after Beijing contravened the agreement by unilaterally making the appointments.