Taiwan President Lai Ching-te sent congratulations on Friday to newly appointed Pope Leo, saying Taiwan looked forward to building on existing ties to advance peace and justice, while China offered a more low-key response.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday congratulated Pope Leo XIV on being elected the new leader of the Catholic Church. "It is hoped that the Vatican will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with China under the new pope's leadership and conduct in-depth communication on international issues of mutual concern,

Lee told Taiwan's official Central News Agency that when he told Leo, whose real name is Robert Prevost, that he was from Taiwan, Leo's response was that he was able to distinguis