Taiwan is racing to secure President Lai Ching-te’s attendance to the funeral of Pope Francis, a trip that would give the island’s top official a rare chance to mix with other leaders.

Ensuring Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te can attend this weekend's funeral of Pope Francis is currently the "most important aim" for Taipei's foreign ministry, Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu said on Wednesday.

Taiwanese President William Lai will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday, with Vice President Chen Chien-jen representing him, local media reported on Wednesday. The Vatican is the only State in Europe that has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan,