KUALA LUMPUR – The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Julian Leow has expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations (Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia, Mapim) for their prayers and well wishes for Pope Francis’s recovery following his recent hospitalisation during a meeting with Mapim representatives yesterday.
In a statement on Facebook, the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur said that the archbishop met with nine representatives from Mapim at his residences in Bukit Bintang yesterday, where a positive dialogue touching on the Palestinian issue also took place.
“We appreciate your prayers for Pope Francis. We need to pray more for peace, as violence is never the answer. We put politics aside and support life, focusing on what is common and what unites us,” Archbishop Leow said during the gathering.
Mapim had earlier sent a letter extending their prayers for the pope’s health and thanking him for his vocal support of the Palestinian people. In a spirit of interfaith solidarity, the meeting reaffirmed shared commitments to unity and cooperation, particularly in addressing humanitarian crises such as the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
During the meeting, Archbishop Leow presented his guests with copies of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, also known as the Abu Dhabi Declaration. This landmark document, co-signed by Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, in 2019, calls for global peace and interfaith harmony.
During the discussion, Ahmad Awang, chairman of Persatuan Ulama Malaysia, underscored the importance of recognising that the war in the Middle East is not rooted in religious differences but driven by political and other factors.
Both Archbishop Leow and the Mapim representatives emphasised the necessity for people of all faiths to collaborate in promoting peace and harmony, both in Malaysia and beyond.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to continuous dialogue and cooperation on humanitarian issues, reflecting the shared responsibility of religious communities in fostering compassion and mutual respect.
Both parties expressed hope for further collaboration between Mapim and the Church to uphold common values and advance humanitarian efforts together. – March 27, 2025