Pope’s visit to Singapore ‘the best gift at this time’

On 11 September, Pope Francis arrived in Singapore from Timor-Leste, on the final stage of his Apostolic Journey through Asia and the Pacific. In perhaps the biggest transition of his journey, the Pope travelled from one of the world’s poorest and most youthful countries—Timor-Leste—to Singapore, one of the wealthiest and oldest countries in the world.

Upon his arrival at Singapore International Airport, Pope Francis was greeted by Edward Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and four children, who performed a dance and presented him with a bouquet of flowers. From the airport, the Pope proceeded to the St Francis Xavier Retreat Centre, where he met privately with the Jesuits of Singapore.

Love that builds and endures

The next day, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Singapore’s National Stadium, where he said that the significance of Singapore’s impressive skyline and economic success lies in the stories of love and care behind them. ‘If there is anything good that exists and endures in this world, it is only because, in innumerable situations, love has prevailed over hate, solidarity over indifference, generosity over selfishness,’ Pope Francis said. Without love, ‘no one here would have been able to give rise to such a great metropolis, for the architects would not have designed it, the workers would not have worked on it, and nothing would have been achieved.’

Reflecting on the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Pope Francis honoured fellow Jesuit St Francis Xavier, who visited Singapore in 1552 on his way to China. The Pope encouraged the 50,000 attendees to look beyond the city’s impressive architecture and signs of progress, saying, ‘Behind each of the works in front of us, there are many stories of love to be discovered; stories of men and women united with one another in a community, of citizens dedicated to their country, of mothers and fathers concerned for their families, of professionals and workers of all kinds sincerely engaged in their various roles and tasks.’

These stories ‘remind us that there is an even greater wonder to be embraced with even greater admiration and respect; namely, the brothers and sisters we meet, without discrimination—every day on our path—as we see in Singaporean society and the Church, which are ethnically diverse and yet united and in solidarity,’ Pope Francis said.

The concelebrating bishops and priests from Singapore were joined at the Mass by dozens of priests from Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Burmese Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, was also present, as were Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan of Hong Kong and about 150 migrant workers from China.

Sr Linda Sim—a member of the Franciscan Missionaries of Divine Motherhood—said Pope Francis’ visit ‘is the best gift to Singapore at this time’.

‘Singapore is so affluent that there is a soullessness, but I hope the Pope’s visit will inspire people to realise there is so much more [that is] important than wealth and progress,’ she said. ‘There is so much suicide because there is nothing solid. But even if I have nothing, I have everything because I have God.’

Cultivating unity amid diversity

On his last day in Singapore, Pope Francis met with representatives of Singapore’s priests and religious at the St Francis Xavier Retreat Centre, telling priests to be ‘in the midst of the people; united to God; brothers among yourselves and united with your bishop.’

The Pope then visited staff and residents at St Theresa’s Home, a residential care facility for the sick and elderly, spending a few moments with retired Singapore Archbishop Nicholas Chia Yeck Joo (86), who is a resident of the home.

Later, the Pope addressed young people at the Catholic Junior College, urging them to embrace courage and friendship. Rather than settling for a comfortable life, he said, they should ‘take risks; go out.’

At the meeting, Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, spoke of the importance of preserving respect and tolerance among Singapore’s religious communities. ‘Unity and peace cannot happen without dialogue, trust and cooperation for the common good,’ he said. ‘Our religious communities speak for values such as honesty, compassion and fairness. These are powerful forces in building cohesion in a polarised world.’

Pope Francis encouraged the young people to reflect on the power that lies in learning from mistakes. ‘What is worse: making a mistake because you actually did something or making no mistakes because you did nothing?’ the Pope asked the young people gathered at the college. ‘A person who does not do anything is old before his or her time.’

Pope Francis also invited the young people engaged in interreligious dialogue to reflect on how they approach these conversations. ‘If we always say, “My religion is more important than yours” or “My religion is true and yours is not,” where will that lead us?’ he asked. ‘Every religion is a path toward God, who is the creator and Father of all. And, if there is only one God and Father, then all people are brothers and sisters.’

As he boarded the papal flight from Singapore back to Rome, Pope Francis (87) completed the longest trip of his pontificate, drawing energy from the enthusiastic crowds. Over 12 days, the Pope visited Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore, highlighting the riches of different cultures, the importance of interreligious dialogue, and our responsibility to care for the poor and for the environment.