Amb. Ho: Taiwan and the Vatican share the ‘values of freedom, peace, justice, truth and human rights’
The diplomat, who has just taken up his post as his country’s representative to the Holy See, recounts his meeting with Leo XIV. Taiwan helped the pontiff “when he served in Peru”. Leo “said that he will pray for Taiwan.” The island does not “pose any threat” to China, offering instead “opportunities for dialogue and for peace.”
Rome (AsiaNews) – Anthony C. Y. Ho, the new ambassador of Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See has received us at the embassy in Via della Conciliazione with much curtesy and anticipation. He kindly agreed to answer to the questions of AsiaNews, adding that he wished it to be like an informal and friendly conversation.
On May the 8th, Ambassador Ho has received the news of the election of Pope Leo while travelling from Taipei to Rome to initiate his new post. On July 3th, he presented his credentials the Holy Father Leo XIV.
Both the Holy Father and You happened to start your important new jobs in Rome in the same day! And you met personally on July 3th. How did you feel about the relationship with the Holy Father of you personally and of Taiwan with the Pope and the Holy See?
I had the honor to present my credential on the morning of July the 3rd. It was a warm and a pleasant conversation. First, I conveyed the warmest greetings and the best wishes on behalf of President Lai Ching-te of R.O.C (Taiwan). I then conveyed the greetings from many high-ranking officials of President Lai's government.
As a Catholic, I also had the joy to convey the greetings and the prayers of the people of in Taiwan Catholic community.
I reported to the Pope that Taiwan is a vibrant democracy, which lays a strong foundation for religious freedom and interreligious dialogue.
And the Pope?
The Pope said that he will pray for Taiwan and that he appreciated all the greetings that I had conveyed.
People in Taiwan, I said to the Pope, are rich in love and charities. So for decades whenever there was a natural disaster or conflict around the world, the people in Taiwan always extended their hands to the people in need of help.
For example, we helped after the earthquakes in Japan, China and Turkey. In the recent war, we extend hands to Ukraine people.
In the years of Covid-19, we helped many people around the world. And we had the opportunity to encounter the Pope, I mean Bishop Robert Francis Prevost, when he served in Peru. On that occasion, we donated to his dioceses a batch of medical supply, offered by the county of Pingtung.
It is quite interesting that the Pope had the opportunity to know about Taiwan as a bishop.
Yes, I find it wonderful that Taiwan, thanks to its love and care, had the opportunity to encounter future pope already few years ago.
In my view, this is a symbol for the future: Taiwan and the Holy See share the same values of freedom, peace, justice, truth and human rights. We shared them in the past, at the present and we will in the future. Taiwan and the Holy See will always be close and good partners in the world.
I also said to the Holy Father that the concrete works that we are going to engage with the Holy See is based on HOPE. This is the Jubilee of Hope. And HOPE will be the framework for my working with the Holy See. Each letter of HOPE also stands for 4 important words which are Humanity, Opportunity, Partnership and finally for Encounter.
The meaning is that we are going in partnership with the Holy See for having more meaningful encounters with people around the world. Encountering is a word that the Holy Father emphasizes very much.
And then we are going to advance humanitarian efforts, creating more opportunities for the less privileged around the world.
Did the Holy Father react to that?
The Pope thought it is a very good idea and had words of appreciation. His appreciation makes me very encouraged and honored.
I will also meet up with the effort of our Foreign Minister, Dr. Lin Chia-Lung in working with other diplomatic allies. We call this a “Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project” (in mandarin Róng bāng jì huà 榮邦計劃). We are going to put in more resources and efforts on the infrastructure of our allies, covering especially four major areas: digital world, healthcare, environmental protection and smart agriculture.
I think we can work together with the Holy See in regions and countries where they may need more resources for healthcare. Also, both Pope Francis and Pope Leo have emphasized on the issues of environmental protection, sustainable development and energy. I am looking forward to work together on these issues, too.
Mister Ambassador, you are a Catholic faithful. What do you wish for the Catholic community in Taiwan and for the people of the island?
Yes, I am Catholic. My children are the fifth generation in my family sharing the faith. My belief and faith have an influence for how I see my future work with the Holy See, guided under the spirit of the three supernatural virtues: faith, love and hope.
The Holy See represents the universal church. We will continue to deepen the cooperation to promote universal values, care and love.
Through the cooperation and efforts between Taiwan and the Holy See, I hope that more people around the world will further appreciate that God is love. Then I hope that Taiwan and the Holy See will be like VIP to each other which VIP here stands for “Valuable and Indispensable Partners”.
Formally, the Embassy represents the Republic of China to the Holy See. Yet, as you have mentioned, you represent the Taiwanese government and people. Among the two identities, which one is more meaningful?
I am the ambassador of the R.O.C (Taiwan). And of course, I serve the interest of Taiwan’s government and its people. The R.O.C. (Taiwan) is a country promoting freedom, democracy and human rights.
In my current capacity and in my future jobs, I will follow these values and the instructions of my government and serve the interests of my people.
You are the only Chinese formal diplomatic representation to the Holy See. Yet, since 2018, the Vatican has a pastoral agreement with the authority of People’s Republic of China (PRC). Has this agreement interfered or weakened the work and the significance of your embassy?
We have been paying attention to the development that you just mentioned. In addition, we are concerned whether the PRC government is going to allow more freedom for the people and for the Catholic community in China. Especially we pay attention whether Catholics can enjoy the full freedom and normal religious life that the Holy See expects.
What do you wish for the Catholic community in Taiwan and for the people of Taiwan?
The Catholic Church has made a lot significant contribution in Taiwan, including in the field of healthcare, social welfare and education. Moreover, since many years Taiwanese government and people work very closely with the Catholic Church in Taiwan.
Hear this good example: President Lai Ching-te previously served as the mayor of Tainan City. There was a Mary Knoll American missionary by the name of Brendan O'Connell, who established a child's early learning center in the same city. (The center is named Bethlehem Foundation). As Fr O’Connell faced a lot of difficulties, Mayor Lai Ching-te effectively helped Father O'Connell on administrative matters and in providing funds. Some of the children have learning disabilities, such as autism or have physical disabilities. Fr O’Connell, who passed away in 2020, insisted on the idea that children with a disability should learn and live together with other kids, without disabilities.
Before I came to Rome to assume my current post, I visited that Center. The teachers asked them to draw some picture on how they see Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Four paintings were donated to me and I brought them as a present to the pope when I had honor to meet him.
So this was your gift to the Pope?
Yes, the four kids paintings
A meaningful and evocative gift. Congratulations Mr. Ambassador!
There are many more beautiful and touching stories happening in Taiwan showing how close is the cooperation between the Taiwanese people and the Catholic Church. Taiwan is a society rich in love, and we have a successful story in interreligious cooperation.
Just another good example: recently I went to the funeral of Sr Elena Pia (Giusebbiana) Frongia, an Italian nun who spent 65 years in Taiwan in the suburban area in Hsinchu County. Sister Frongia had established a kindergarten, an elementary school, and educated thousands of people in that region. In later years, she had some difficulties in funding. Tzu Chi Foundation (a world-famous Buddhist charitable organization founded by Taiwanese Buddhist nun Cheng Yen in 1966) supported her. When she expressed her gratitude, the people at the Foundation told her: “Mumu (‘mother’ in local Atayal language) you do not have to thank us, as you yourself when helped our people, you never asked whether they were Catholic or not”. (Sister Frongia belonged to the Order of Sacro Costato, known as the Mother Teresa of Taiwan, was considered a living saint by many. She passed away in May 2025 at the age of 93).
Such collaboration among believers of different religions could serve as a model, not just in the Asia-Pacific area, but also for the world. This is why I say that Taiwan can play a more important role in the perspective of evangelization and in promoting peace and harmony in the world.
There have been episodes of tensions across the Taiwan Strait. Are you concerned about the safety of Taiwan people? What are your desire and anticipation for relationship across the Strait?
The R.O.C. (Taiwan) is a peace-loving country, and then we never pose any threat to any single country or to any region. On the contrary, we promote love and peace around the world.
Whenever there is a major natural disaster or conflict around the world, Taiwan always reaches out to people in need. I am in line with the President, whom since his inauguration and in numerous other occasions expressed proposals for dialogue with PRC’s authorities.
The response from their side was not what we hoped for. We will continue to propose opportunities for dialogue and for peace. We will definitely continue to walk on the road of peace.
The Holy Father in his first address to the diplomatic corps mentioned that the church's mission in the future will be peace, justice and truth.
These are our values as well. So Taiwan and the Holy See are together in continuing on the road of peace, justice and truth.
We will continue to create more opportunities for dialogue and we hope that we will get a positive response from the other side.
As a Taiwanese Catholic, what is your wish for the church and the other areas of Greater China: China Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau?
Again, in Taiwan we enjoy full freedom and, of course, the religious freedom, and Taiwan is a model for interreligious cooperation. I am sure that it can serve as a beacon and a lighthouse for the people in China.
This is true for the Catholic Church as well, which is still under pressures and threats in China. The Catholic Church in Taiwan will continue to play its role and we will let the world continue to know that Taiwan is really a free and democratic country, which spares no efforts in promoting peace.
Where are you from Taiwan? What is your background?
I am from Keelung (a town on top north of the island).
You practice your faith in local parish?
Yes. Then, when I was in Taipei and I went to the Holy Family Church (a major parish in Taipei, run by Jesuit Fathers).
Where did you study?
At National Taiwan University.
Where did you serve as a diplomat before the present assignment?
I served in our offices in Washington, DC, in Manila and Pretoria.
Your present assignment is probably the most important for Taiwan’s diplomacy.
It is my great honor to serve in this position, especially as I am a Catholic. I will do my best to discharge the duties that the government, the president and the foreign minister assigned to me.
Finally, is there any message that you wish to leave to our readers?
In a short and clear message: With its capability and willingness, Taiwan is a force for good, can be a very good partner to the Holy See and to other like-minded countries and friends to contribute to democracy, freedom, justice, prosperity and peace in the world.
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