Image Credit: Taiwan News
A delegation from Beigang Chao Tian Temple, a 330-year-old shrine in Yunlin County, is set to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican next week, according to reports from Thursday, September 19. The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, will mark a significant diplomatic and cultural gesture.
Tsai Yung-te, the temple’s chair, departed for Rome on Thursday evening. He drew a comparison between the goddess Mazu, revered in Taiwanese culture, and the Virgin Mary, highlighting their shared symbolism of mercy, love, and peace despite differing cultural contexts. Tsai has brought two gifts for Pope Francis: a golden statue of Mazu valued at NT$120,000 (approximately US$3,700) and a jade representation of the deity. To ensure their safety, the statues will be stored at the Taiwanese embassy in the Vatican, Taiwan’s sole diplomatic ally in Europe.
Tsai described the visit as a symbol of transcending cultural boundaries and bridging differences. The 330th-anniversary celebrations of Beigang Chao Tian Temple have already included delegations to major cities such as San Francisco, Houston, and New York in May. This upcoming meeting with the Pope is seen as a continuation of these efforts to foster international understanding and cooperation.
The temple’s outreach reflects a broader commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual respect. This meeting at the Vatican highlights the role of traditional institutions in global diplomacy and the shared values that can unite diverse cultures.