KOTA KINABALU: The death of Pope Francis is a profound loss not only for Catholics in Malaysia but for the global community, says Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Describing him as a truly noble spiritual leader, Hajiji praised the Pope’s humility, compassion and wisdom, qualities that endeared him to people of all faiths around the world.
“On behalf of the state government and the people of Sabah, I extend our heartfelt condolences to all Catholics in your hour of grief," he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 22).
Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday (April 21) at the age of 88.
His death came just a day after he made a public appearance on Easter Sunday at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
According to the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu 2020 statistics, Sabah is home to more than 232,000 Catholics.
