Taiwan on edge after Pope Francis's death, closely watching Vatican-China relations

Taiwan on edge after Pope Francis's death, closely watching Vatican-China relations

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan - Some in Taiwan are watching with growing unease as the Catholic Church prepares to elect a new leader following the death of Pope Francis. The Holy See is the only European state that maintains diplomatic relations with Taipei, but some fear the growing ties between the Vatican and Beijing could change things.Taiwan is home to fewer than 300,000 Catholics. By contrast, estimates put the number of Catholics in communist China …