Pilgrimage of Hope 2025 Opens in Penang, Dignitaries Stress Asia’s Rich Cultural Heritage and Spirit of Fraternity
The Great Pilgrimage of Hope 2025 opened on November 27 in Penang, Malaysia, bringing together more than two hundred Church leaders, including 10 cardinals, 104 bishops, 155 priests, 74 religious sisters, and 8 deacons, along with nearly 422 lay leaders, 32 organizing team members, and over 90 volunteers from 32 countries.
In his opening message, Sebastian Cardinal Francis, Bishop of Penang, welcomed participants to what he called “a true springtime of hope” for the Church in Asia.
Quoting the theme of the pilgrimage, “Journeying together as peoples of Asia… and they went a different way” (Mt 2:12), the Cardinal reminded the assembly that, just like the Magi, the Church is called “to walk together in synodality, embracing new pathways of being Church in Asia, rooted in fraternity.”
He highlighted that this gathering comes at a historic moment for the Church, as it prepares to conclude the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, look ahead to World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027, and the final phase of the Synod on Synodality in 2028.
Cardinal Francis added, “We Asians are storytellers at heart. And the greatest story ever told, the story of Jesus Christ, continues in us today through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Malaysia’s Minister of National Unity, the Right Hon. Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, also addressed the pilgrims, praising the Catholic community for its commitment to promoting harmony and dialogue.
He emphasized Malaysia’s national principle, “Unity is Strength,” saying: “Diversity is not an obstacle but a source of strength. Harmony fosters trust, nurtures empathy, and helps us see each other not as strangers but as partners in nation-building.”
The Minister also explained Malaysia’s approach to sustaining peace through interfaith collaboration, community engagement, and grassroots mediation, noting that places of worship must be “hubs of cooperation, not isolation.” He urged all communities to “understand, respect, accept, and celebrate” one another, values he called essential for Asian societies.
Bishop George Pallipparambil SDB, Chairman of the FABC-OE, placed the event in the broader context of Asia’s rich cultural and religious heritage. He reminded participants that “Asia is the birthplace of all major world religions and the home of extraordinary diversity,” yet remains united by common values such as respect for elders, community life, education, and spiritual depth.
Speaking about the significance of the pilgrimage, he said: “Our gathering is a Jubilee pilgrimage in which we thank God for our faith and cultures. We commit ourselves to being salt, leaven, and light, agents of change who help create a world where everyone has a place.”
The prelate expressed deep gratitude to the Diocese of Penang, the State and Federal Governments of Malaysia, and the organizers and volunteers for making the event possible.
Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle launched the Great Pilgrimage of Hope by lighting the candle.
The Great Pilgrimage of Hope will continue over the next three days, marked by prayer, cultural exchange, sessions, and pastoral discussions aimed at strengthening the Church’s service across Asia.
