Cardinal Sebastian Francis

When Cardinal Sebastian Francis spoke, his words carried both warning and blessing. “We need children,” he said, “otherwise there is no future.”

The mental health of priests and bishops emerged as a critical topic during a press conference at the ongoing Great Pilgrimage of Hope in Penang, as Church leaders discussed the challenges clergy face in maintaining their emotional and psychological well-being.

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.

The Great Pilgrimage of Hope continued today in Penang with a deeply moving Eucharistic celebration presided over by Sebastian Cardinal Francis, Bishop of Penang, on November 27.

The Archdiocese of Verapoly rejoiced on Nov 8 as scores of faithful gathered at the National Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadom, Kochi, to witness the beatification of Mother Eliswa Vakayil, the foundress of the Congregation of Teresian Carmelites (CTC) and the first indigenous woman religious congregation in Kerala.

Cardinal Sebastian Francis, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang, Malaysia, will lead the beatification ceremony of Mother Eliswa Vakayil of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a 19th-century nun from Kerala renowned for her pioneering role in women’s religious life and lifelong dedication to the poor.

On October 29, a Christian delegation met Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss national unity.

“You have to go deep once you receive the Holy Spirit," said Cardinal Sebastian.

“With the digital world today, we can continue the Pentecostal experience… to come out there and face the world [and] every culture without fear,” said Cardinal Sebastian Francis

Cardinal Sebastian noted that these acts of penance are also being done by other non-Catholic Asians, especially Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims, bringing about a unique sense of spiritual unity within the region.

“We want to thank God for the sacrifices of all Asians who keep the planet young with [the] precious gift of children,” said Cardinal Sebastian Francis.

“Not only does she exist to fulfill a mission; the Church is mission,” the chairman of the Bishops’ Meet organizer, FABC-OSC, said.

The Holy Father named Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, China, for the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and Cardinal Sebastian Francis, bishop of Penang, Malaysia, for Promoting Integral Human Development.