Pope Francis arrives in Singapore, concluding a four-nation Asia-Pacific tour aimed at enhancing the Catholic Church’s presence in the region, despite health challenges.
Singapore, 11 September 2024 – Pope Francis arrived in Singapore marking the beginning of the final leg of his 12-day Apostolic Journey across Asia and Oceania. This visit to the Southeast Asian city-state follows previous stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste, making it the longest journey of his pontificate.
The Pope’s arrival has generated significant excitement across Singapore, where residents are making final preparations for his scheduled activities. At the Junior Catholic College, young people were seen rehearsing for an interreligious youth meeting, which will take place on Friday. Sister Theresa Seow Lee Huang, FDCC, vice chairperson of the Archdiocese and Council for Interreligious Dialogue, expressed hope that the Pope’s visit will strengthen interfaith harmony and foster unity among Singapore’s youth.
Singapore, known for its religious and cultural diversity, will serve as a unique backdrop for Pope Francis’ interreligious engagement. The city-state has a population where Buddhists comprise 33 percent, followed by Muslims (15 percent), and Christians making up around 18 percent, with Catholics representing 3.5 percent of the population.
The Holy Father’s itinerary includes a series of meetings with Singapore’s leaders, including the president, prime minister, and former prime minister. He will also preside over a public Mass at the National Stadium on Thursday, followed by an interreligious dialogue with young people and a visit to St. Theresa’s Home for the elderly on Friday.
Pope Francis’ visit is seen as a moment of hope and encouragement for many, especially for Singapore’s Catholic community. Jacob Soo, Executive Director of the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI), hopes the Pope’s presence will inspire unity and compassion in addressing social challenges, particularly with the country’s significant migrant population and its ageing society.
Source: Vatican News
