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.

Taiwan will send envoys of the "appropriate level" to Pope Francis' funeral given the deep friendship between the island and the Vatican, the Taiwanese foreign ministry said on Monday, expressing condolences to one of its few remaining allies.