The Great Pilgrimage of Hope

In the wake of the Asian Mission Congress (AMC) 2025, the Church in Asia finds itself at a decisive moment. The language of synodality is now firmly embedded in ecclesial discourse. The question is no longer whether the Church believes in synodality, but whether it knows how to live it.

In a solemn ceremony marking the conclusion of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, Pope Leo XIV officially closed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 2026.

In late November 2025, the Malaysian city of Penang became the vibrant hub of a historic continental gathering as over 900 Catholic leaders and faithful from across Asia convened for the Great Pilgrimage of Hope (GPH).

The Great Pilgrimage of Hope (GPH) may have ended, but its message continues to echo across Asia. If the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) describes the Church as one “in dialogue for mission,” GPH 2025 makes it clear who will help drive that mission forward: the youth.

The Great Pilgrimage of Hope, held in Penang, Malaysia, from November 27 to 30, brought renewed focus to a fundamental truth of Christian life: mission is not the task of a few, but the identity of every baptized believer.

We were invited to look upon Asia not as a “land to be conquered,” but as a home, in the spirit of the FABC, where the “Seeds of the Word” are already present within its cultures and religions.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s keynote address, “Going a Different Way as Renewed Pilgrims of Hope”, on the opening day of the Great Pilgrimage of Hope in Penang, Malaysia, was not just an opening speech.

Crisis must be understood not merely as danger but as a doorway through which the Church can grow, Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching said, urging Asian Catholics to confront modern challenges with confidence and hope.

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

Cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle and Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David share a profound message of hope and faith for Asia ahead of the 2033 Great Jubilee during a Nov. 29 gathering at the Great Pilgrimage of Hope in Penang.

As the Catholic Church in South Korea prepares to host World Youth Day 2027, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle offered reflections on the role of culture, cuisine, and everyday encounters in deepening faith and welcoming the world’s youth.

Four cardinals share their insights on how WYD 2027 can inspire young Catholics across Asia during a Nov. 29 press conference at the Great Pilgrimage of Hope in Penang.

In a unique turn of events at the press conference of the Great Pilgrimage of Hope on Nov 29, Bishop George Pallipaablil, Chair of the FABC- OE, departed from the usual closing remarks and instead opened the floor to dialogue with local and international media representatives.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão presided concluding Mass of the The Great Pilgrimage of Hope at The Light Hotel Penang on November 30, 2025.

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 second day (Nov 28) of the Great Pilgrimage of Hope was highlighted by a powerful address from His Beatitude Archbishop Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church and Metropolitan Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, India. He spoke on the theme: “A Call for a Renewed Personal Encounter with Christ.”

As the Great Pilgrimage of Hope drew thousands of faithful to Penang, Cardinal Philip Neri, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), shared reflections on the experience, its significance for Asia, and the future of the Church’s engagement across the continent.

During a press conference held at the Great Pilgrimage of Hope on November 29, Pablo Virgilio S. Cardinal David, Bishop of Kalookan and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, responded to questions on the Church’s preparations for the 2033 Jubilee Year marking 2,000 years since the death and resurrection of Jesus.

In a candid and wide-ranging press conference held during the Great Pilgrimage of Hope in Penang on Nov 29, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle reflected on the immense possibilities and challenges of the digital age, the deeply consoling spirit of the pilgrimage, and the lasting global impact of the First Asian Mission Congress.

Day 3 (Nov 29) of the Great Pilgrimage of Hope, currently underway in Penang, Malaysia, was marked by a grand Eucharistic celebration at the renowned Minor Basilica of St. Anne, the only Mass of the pilgrimage open to the public.