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.

A former Taiwan vice president will attend this weekend’s funeral of Pope Francis as the special envoy of President Lai Ching-te, the island’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday after it had earlier hoped that Lai would attend.

TAIPEI (Reuters) - 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.