Taiwan used the pope's birthday to reinforce one of its few remaining formal diplomatic ties in Europe, a small but deliberate signal of goodwill.

• Pope Leo XIV turned 71 on September 14, and Taiwan's president sent an official birthday message through its embassy to the Holy See.
• The message praised the pope's push for world peace through dialogue and his themes of hope and unity.
• Taiwan promised to keep working with the Vatican on human rights and easing suffering around the world.
• The Holy See is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Europe, so gestures like this carry real weight for Taipei.
• Leo XIV, born in Chicago and elected in May 2025, is the first pope to hold two nationalities — American and Peruvian.

Outlook: Taiwan will keep courting the Vatican closely, with Beijing pressing in the other direction for the Holy See to switch recognition to China.