ROME – After six spiritually enriching and eventful days in the heart of the Catholic Church, the bishops of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei concluded their ad limina apostolorum visit carrying home more than reports and recommendations — they returned renewed in fraternity, strengthened in communion and inspired with a deeper sense of mission for the Church in the region.
Held from May 18 to 23, the pilgrimage brought together the bishops of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (CBCMSB) for a series of meetings with Pope Leo XIV, Vatican dicasteries and Church leaders, while also fulfilling the centuries-old tradition of praying at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul.
From the very beginning, the pilgrimage was marked by prayer and anticipation. As the bishops travelled to Rome in separate groups for logistical and safety reasons, Catholics throughout the region spiritually accompanied them through special intentions and prayers offered in parishes and communities.
What unfolded over the following days was far more than a routine ecclesiastical obligation. The pilgrimage became a deeply meaningful spiritual and pastoral journey marked by dialogue, fraternity, reflection and encounters that touched on every aspect of Church life. The bishops quickly entered the demanding rhythm of the Roman Curia. Meetings at the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments focused on liturgy, pastoral realities and the unique challenges faced by Churches serving multicultural and multireligious societies such as Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
On another day, the bishops walked through the streets of Rome to the General Secretariat of the Synod, a symbolic reflection of the synodal journey the universal Church continues to emphasise. Discussions with the Dicastery for Evangelisation and other Vatican offices highlighted the missionary identity of the Church and the importance of walking together as the People of God.
The pilgrimage was not without moments of warmth and familiarity. On one of the afternoons, the bishops were hosted to a Malaysian meal by Ambassador Hendy Assan at a restaurant that has served authentic Malaysian cuisine in Rome for nearly three decades. Amid laughter, shared memories and familiar flavours from home, the gathering became a gentle reminder that faith, culture and identity remain deeply connected even thousands of kilometres away.
Yet the spiritual high point of the pilgrimage came on Day Five. Before dawn broke over Rome, the bishops crossed St Peter’s Square to celebrate the Eucharist at the Tomb of St Peter himself — the fisherman chosen by Christ to shepherd His Church. Later that same day came the long-awaited private audience with Pope Leo XIV, regarded as the highest expression of communion between local bishops and the Successor of Peter.
For many of the bishops, the encounter with the Holy Father was marked not merely by formality, but by genuine fraternity, encouragement and pastoral closeness.
The final day of the pilgrimage unfolded in a quieter and more reflective atmosphere. At the Basilica of St Mary Major, Cardinal William Goh presided over Mass near the tomb of Pope Francis, whose humility and simplicity continue to leave a lasting impression on pilgrims visiting the basilica. The bishops later completed their final Vatican meeting before visiting the L’Opera Della Chiesa community, which had generously assisted them throughout the week.
As the pilgrimage drew to a close, there was a visible sense of both exhaustion and gratitude among the delegation. Beneath the formal meetings and carefully planned schedules lay something far deeper — a reminder that the Church remains both universal and deeply personal, united not merely through institutions and structures, but through prayer, communion and shared mission.
For Catholics in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, the ad limina visit also served as a visible sign that their local Churches remain closely connected to the wider universal Church. Amid cultural diversity, social challenges and rapidly changing realities, the pilgrimage reaffirmed that the mission of the Gospel continues to move forward with hope.
Having returned to their dioceses, the bishops now carry with them not only the experiences of Rome, but also renewed spiritual strength, deeper unity and a clearer sense that the journey of the Church is one that must always be walked together. – Herald Malaysia
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