Ex-Vice President Chen pays respects to Pope Francis in Vatican

Vatican City, April 25 (CNA) Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁), acting as an envoy for President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), visited St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City Friday to pay respect to the late Pope Francis.

Chen, who departed from Taipei on Thursday night (local time), went to St. Peter's Basilica shortly after arriving in Rome to honor the pope as he lay in state.

The former vice president between 2016 and 2020 will join other world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in attending Pope Francis's funeral scheduled on Saturday.

According to the Vatican, heads of government or their representatives from more than 130 countries are expected to take part in the event.

Friday marked the final day for mourners from around the world to pay tribute to the pope, who died at his residence on April 21 at the age of 88, at St. Peter's Basilica.

Following the funeral, his body will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.