The Inaugural Holy Mass for "The Great Pilgrimage of Hope" in Malaysia was held on November 27, 2025, in Penang, Malaysia. The main event, a four-day congress, runs from November 27-30, 2025.
Key details about the opening mass and event:
- Location: The inaugural mass took place in Penang, the host city for the entire congress.
- Presider: Cardinal Sebastian Francis, the Bishop of Penang, celebrated the opening Mass.
- Attendees: The event gathered nearly 800 delegates from over 20 countries across Asia, including bishops, priests, religious, and lay leaders.
- Organizers: The pilgrimage is organized by the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences – Office of Evangelization (FABC-OE), in collaboration with the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization.
- Purpose: The gathering aims to renew the missionary spirit of the Church in Asia and explore fresh pathways for evangelization and dialogue, aligning with the global Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope theme, "Pilgrims of Hope".
A major public event during the congress will be a special Mass at the Minor Basilica of St. Anne in Bukit Mertajam on November 29, 2025, presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
