PUTRAJAYA, April 23 — Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick will represent the government in signing the book of condolences for the late Pope Francis at the Vatican Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the government will send a minister to represent Malaysia at Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Fahmi, who is also Madani government spokesman, said these decisions were made at today’s Cabinet meeting here.
“The Cabinet extends its condolences on the passing of Pope Francis.
“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) said Pope Francis was a vocal advocate, particularly on the issue of Gaza. Therefore, the Prime Minister regardly Pope Francis very highly,” he said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting press conference here.
Pope Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, died on Monday aged 88.
He had reportedly long suffered from health issues, including breathing difficulties similar to asthma, which were associated with thrombocytopenia, a blood platelet deficiency.
— Bernama
