As Vatican and China talk, Taiwan looks on nervously

A Catholic poses for a photo with a cardboard cutout of Pope Francis at a church in Taipei, Taiwan March 11, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

VATICAN CITY/TAIPEI (Reuters) - Five blocks from the Vatican, on the bustling, tourist-packed street leading to St. Peter's Basilica, a Taiwanese flag flutters from the window of a third story suite of offices that house Taipei's embassy to the Holy See.

These days, the staff inside are anxious. They know that one night they may have to lower that flag - red and blue with a white sun - for the last time.