GEORGE TOWN: The Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang, Right Reverend Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis, was appointed as a cardinal today.
At a ceremony known as a consistory at St Peter's Square in the Vatican, head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, inducted 21 cardinals from around the world, including Francis.
The most famous of all 'piazzas' (squares) in Italy, St Peter's Square serves as the entry point to the greatest basilica of the Christian world, St. Peter's Basilica.
Of the 21 cardinals created, 18 are under the age of 80, and therefore reportedly eligible to participate in the next papal election.
"The way forward is a society and community that is inclusive, creative and bridge-building," the Malaysian cardinal told the New Straits Times from Rome.
"This," he added, "is the spirit of not uniformity but of Universal Brotherhood and Sisterhood.
"I send my blessings of peace and harmony to all Malaysians."
Cardinal Sebastian, 72, is the second Malaysian and second bishop from Penang to be appointed a cardinal.
Malaysia's first cardinal, the late Anthony Soter Fernandez, who was former Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, served as Bishop of Penang from 1977 to 1983.
Fernandez died in 2020, aged 88.
Some 100 Malaysians including priests and the newly-created Cardinal's family and those from the Penang Diocese travelled to Rome from Kuala Lumpur, Penang and other parts of the world to witness the event.