Penang Bishop sends Message of Thanksgiving and Request of Prayer

Apr 23, 2025

PENANG (Herald Malaysia): Penang Bishop Cardinal Sebastian Francis sends Message of Thanksgiving and Request of Prayer and reflections on the life and death of Pope Francis.

                                                            Condolence Letter


                 Message of Thanksgiving and Request of Prayer


Dear People of God,
Thank you for sharing your prayers and reflections on the life and death of Pope Francis. I am on my way to the Holy See, Vatican City, Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis and the Conclave to elect the next Pope. I represent all of you at the two events.

The Universal Catholic Church and the world need foremost a man of God. A man of God who embraces the Unity in Diversity and Equality of Creation and Humanity. Ideologies that are domineering and manipulative are divisive and personality cults are not the way forward for Humanity and the Church, at the Service of Humanity.

The Holy Spirit of God, who is both the Spirit of Love and Truth will lead the Way Forward. All Popes ensure the Unity and Continuity of the Mission, entrusted by Jesus Christ to the Church, which includes the Apostles and the Disciples of Christ.

The Pope is one who first surrenders and obeys God and the Will of God, which allows him to embrace humanness, both of his own and that of humanity. Pope Francis and his predecessors, that I have known and grown up with as a Catholic from my youth till now, embodied this Spirituality.

I believe the Holy Spirit of God will lead and guide the Cardinal Electors to elect another man of God as our next pope and to lead the Catholic Church forward; a Church at the Service of Humanity, together with all its concerns.

I ask all the People of God for your prayers and blessings to accompany me to Rome. One with you in the Gospel of Joy, Mercy and Hope.