PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated the Catholic faithful around the world and in Malaysia on the election of the new pope.
He said the historic occasion marks a new chapter for the global Catholic community.
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"I am confident it will be a source of renewed purpose and inspiration.
“Malaysia values its ties with the Holy See and we look forward to continued engagement rooted in mutual respect, dialogue and our shared commitment to peace and human dignity,” Anwar said in a Facebook post on Friday (May 9).
US Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday (May 8) and has taken the name Pope Leo XIV.
After the election at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV appeared on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica and greeted the waiting crowd.
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During his first address, he spoke briefly in Spanish, sending greetings to Peru and Chiclayo.
He was made a cardinal in 2023 by Argentinian pontiff Francis, who brought him to Rome to head the Vatican office charged with electing priests to serve as bishops worldwide.
He has since participated in the selection of many of the world's bishops.
The College of Cardinals, composed of 133 cardinals, began the secret voting process to elect a new pope on Wednesday (May 7). The previous pope, Francis, passed away on April 21 due to illness.
