On the morning of October 30, 2026, Ambassador Anthony C.Y. Ho and Minister Paco Huang attended a Holy Mass at the Church of San Nicola in Carcere in Rome, at the invitation of Fr. Leonir Chiarello, Superior General of the Scalabrinian Congregation. The Mass was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Silvano Tomasi.
Ambassador Ho also attended the presentation of a new book “Orizzonti senza confini della Missione Scalabriniana” highlighting the Congregation's missionary work and the launch of its Annual Report 2025.
The event brought together more than 100 participants, including members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Scalabrinian priests, religious sisters, brothers, and lay faithful.
Reaching Across Borders to Bring Care to Those Most in Need
During the presentation of the new book, His Eminence Cardinal Tomasi shared stories of the Scalabrinian Congregation's missionary work around the world, inspired by the spirit and teachings of its founder, particularly its dedication to accompanying and caring for migrants, migrant workers, and maritime workers.
He highlighted the Congregation's presence in Asia, including Australia, the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and India, and noted plans to expand its mission to South Korea and Timor-Leste, extending its care and support to even more people in need.
Serving Over 700,000 People Worldwide and Upholding Human Dignity
In presenting the Annual Report 2025, Fr. Chiarello emphasized that accompanying migrants and people on the move lies at the heart of the Scalabrinian Congregation's mission, a commitment that has received strong recognition and support from successive Popes.
Today, the Congregation operates 52 migrant houses and centers, 16 Stella Maris centers serving seafarers, as well as numerous schools, hospitals, and vocational training centers worldwide. These facilities provide pastoral, social, and humanitarian assistance to migrants, refugees, seafarers, and their families.
Fr. Chiarello reported that, as of 2025, these centers had provided services and assistance to more than 700,000 people, reflecting the Congregation's longstanding dedication to humanitarian service.
In his remarks, Fr. Chiarello also expressed his sincere gratitude to governments and friends from around the world for their generous support. He emphasized that international cooperation not only helps care for migrants and vulnerable communities but also plays an important role in promoting peaceful coexistence and human solidarity.
Taiwan Continues to Work with the Holy See and the Catholic Church to Uphold Human Dignity
His Eminence Cardinal Tomasi and Fr. Chiarello expressed their appreciation to Ambassador Ho for attending the event, reflecting the friendship and support between Taiwan and the Scalabrinian Congregation.
The Embassy of R.O.C. (Taiwan) to the Holy See remains committed to humanitarian values and international cooperation. The Embassy will continue working closely with the Holy See, the Catholic Church, and related organizations to support migrants, refugees, and maritime workers, while jointly promoting human dignity, social inclusion, and world peace.
