THE first Roman Catholic Malaysian to participate in a papal conclave to elect the next Pope carries a message of hope that the Malaysian hallmarks of respecting diversity and humanitarian values would take centre stage for the successor to the late Pope Francis.
Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang Cardinal Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis shared his message just before he boarded a flight last night to Rome to pay his last respects to the beloved Pope Francis.
He would also be the first Malaysian to participate in the unique conclave where participants would engage in hours of praying and seeking the Holy Spirit’s intervention to elect the next pope.
Sebastian represents some 1.2 million faithful in Malaysia as he begins his spiritual journey to the Vatican in Rome for the funeral and the conclave to elect his successor.
The Johor Bharu-born clergy was appointed a cardinal by the Vatican in September 2023, the second Malaysian Catholic Bishop to be given the honour of that rank.
He had described it not only as an honour but as a sacred responsibility.
Sebastian is one of 135 global electors for the next Pope.
The first Malaysian to be raised to the rank of cardinal was the retired archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Anthony Soter Fernandez, who died in 2016.
Fernandez was not considered an elector as only those below the age of 80 can vote in a conclave and he was already 84 when he was raised to the rank whereas Sebastian is 73.
Sebastian said the universal church and the world needs foremost a man of God who embraces unity in diversity and equality of creation and humanity.
He also asked fellow Catholics for their prayers and blessings to accompany him on his journey to Rome.
Pope Francis, 88, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic church died on Monday. - April 24, 2025.
