Bernard Dompok presents his credentials to the Pope

Pope Francis (left) receives the ambassadorial credentials from Dompok.

PETALING JAYA: Former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Bernard Gilik Dompok is the first Malaysian to be made a resident ambassador to the Vatican.

In a statement on Friday the Foreign Ministry said Dompok is the 83rd resident Ambassador accredited to the Vatican, concurrently with Albania and Malta.