Pope Francis arrives in Singapore, final leg of Asia-Pacific tour

By AJU PRESS Posted : September 12, 2024, 13:54 Updated : September 12, 2024, 13:54
Pope Francis arrives in Singapore September 12 2024 REUTERS-Yonhap
Pope Francis arrives in Singapore on Sept. 12, 2024. REUTERS-Yonhap
SEOUL, September 12 (AJP) - Pope Francis landed in Singapore on Thursday, marking the final stop of his four-nation Asia and Oceania tour. It is the first papal visit to the city-state since Pope John Paul II's brief five-hour stopover in 1986.

During his three-day stay, the pontiff's agenda includes meeting with Jesuit members, attending an official welcome ceremony at the Parliament House, and conversing with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He will also deliver a speech at the National University of Singapore and conduct a Mass at the 55,000-seat National Stadium, which will draw faithful from neighboring countries.

The pope's itinerary features encounters with various segments of society. He plans to greet believers from his popemobile, visit the elderly at St. Theresa's Home, and engage in interfaith dialogue with youth at the Catholic Junior College. This trip concludes his 12-day journey, the longest overseas pastoral visit since his pontificate began in 2013.

Singapore, with a population of 5.9 million, is known for its religious diversity. While Buddhism is the predominant faith, the nation is home to approximately 210,000 Catholics. The country celebrated its bicentennial of church establishment in 2021 and has maintained diplomatic relations with the Vatican since 1981.
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