 |
| Pope Francis from Argentina was elected the 266th Holy Roman Pontiff and became the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years. |
"On behalf of the Malaysian Government and the people of Malaysia, in particular Malaysians of the Roman Catholic faith, I am pleased to extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes on Your Holiness' election as the 266th Holy Roman Pontiff," he said in his letter to the Pope.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that the diplomatic relations established in 2011 between Malaysia and the Holy See, the universal government of the Catholic Church, would continue to prosper and strengthen under Pope Francis' papacy.
