MALAYSIAN Cardinal Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis (pic), who made history as the first Malaysian to participate in the secretive conclave to elect a new pontiff, has hailed Pope Leo XIV as “a simple man of God” entrusted with the monumental task of leading 1.5 billion Roman Catholics across the world.
In his first public remarks since the election, Cardinal Sebastian confirmed that he will attend the inauguration Mass of the newly elected Pope on 18 May in Vatican City before returning to Malaysia.
He is scheduled to resume his duties at the Penang Diocese on 21 May.
Born in Johor Bahru, Cardinal Sebastian is only the second Malaysian to be elevated to the rank of cardinal, following the late Cardinal Anthony Soter Fernandez. He also serves as the Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang.
In a statement released to the media, Cardinal Sebastian said the decision by the 133 cardinal electors to select Pope Leo XIV was unanimous.
“Pope Leo’s task and responsibility is to serve creation and humanity, and to be a sign of hope for both,” he said.
The newly elected pontiff is expected to steer the global Church through complex social, spiritual, and ecological challenges, with Cardinal Sebastian expressing confidence that Pope Leo XIV will lead with humility and compassion.
"He will carry forward this vision and mission as his predecessors have done. Bless and pray for him, and for the Catholic Church he now leads — which includes all of us — so that together, under his leadership, we remain faithful to the vision and mission entrusted to him and to us."
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier extended his congratulations to Catholics worldwide on the election of Pope Leo XIV.
In the early hours of Thursday, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was born in Chicago, United States, but spend majority of his adulthood in Peru, was elected as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
He has taken the papal name Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV, 69, succeeds Pope Francis of Argentina, a reform - minded pontiff who died last month at the age of 88 from a stroke and heart failure. - May 11, 2025
