On March 26, 2026, Taiwan’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Anthony C. Y. HO, and his wife, visited Assisi. Also present was the Consul, David C. W. LI. The visit took the form of a pilgrimage and was organized by Friar Gianni M. HUANG.
The program included a meeting focused on preparing for the Spirit of Assisi in Taiwan. Although there are many different religions in Taiwan, there is currently no system of religious education.
In October of 2025, a group of Buddhists from around the world visited Assisi. Among them were Buddhists from Taiwan, as well as representatives from the Museum of World Religions. This museum was founded in November of 2001, by the Venerable HSIN Tao, a Buddhist monk, and with support from the Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Foundation.
Additional inauguration ceremonies for the Museum were held in September and November of 2002, They were attended by many religious leaders and public figures from around the world, including the former President of Taiwan, CHEN Shui-bian.
In November of 2026, the museum will celebrate its 25th anniversary and I have been invited to the ceremony.
This presents another opportunity to offer Franciscan witness in Taiwan.
The ambassador is very familiar with this museum. During our meeting, we decided to organize the Spirit of Assisi there as well, in coordination with the bishops of Taiwan. This is quite significant, as the current political situation has strengthened the desire of the people of Taiwan for peace and harmony among religions.
The Custos of the Sacred Convent, Friar Marco MORONI, participated in the second part of our meeting. I was very pleased that it was not a formal, official meeting, but rather, a genuine exchange of Christian and Franciscan witness.
Among the many commemorative gifts that were exchanged, one proved particularly significant. It was a text in Chinese with wishes offered for the beginning of spring: “Seven joys come with spring. I wish you seven joys: the joy of heaven, the joy of earth, the joy of work, the joy of wealth, the joy of family, the joy of business, and the joy of human relationships.”
Friar Sławomir KLEIN
General Delegate for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue (EDI)
