KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has taken its seat in the Holy See with Tan Sri Bernard Dompok having presented his credentials to Pope Francis.

Dompok was received by the Pope at Vatican City on Thursday.

Dompok’s posting to the Vatican is historic as he is the first Malaysian representative to be based there after diplomatic relations were formalised on July 27, 2011.

Malaysia is the 179th country to set up diplomatic relations with the Holy See, with Dompok as the 83rd resident ambassador accredited there.

A former Sabah Chief Minister, who also served as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, Dompok also actively participated in the activities of many NGOs, including the Federation of Christian Mission School Council in Malaysia, Institute for Indigenous Economic Progress and the Borneo Conservation Trust.

Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Holy See have helped promote global peace, understanding and moderation among religions through interfaith dialogues and education.

Dompok is concurrently accredited to Albania and Malta.