Pope Francis to Make Historic Visit to Singapore After 38-Year Hiatus

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Singapore from September 11-13, 2024, marking a significant event for the city-state's Catholic community. This visit, the first by a pontiff in 38 years, is part of the Pope's 12-day Asia tour, which includes stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor.

The highlight of the papal visit will be a mass for 50,000 people on September 12, 2024. Volunteers from various backgrounds are diligently preparing for this historic occasion. Among them are Filipino hospital administrator Anna Galarrita and domestic helper Olga Reyes, who will be part of the 1,500-strong choir, and Singaporean engineer Raphael Lau, who will serve as a communion minister.

"It's a dream of all Catholics to meet the pope. Because it's just like he's next to God. This is a once in a lifetime story that I can pass to my grandchildren that, 'Oh, I've been there, I've seen the pope, I went to the mass. I sang for the pope.'"

The visit has generated considerable excitement among Singapore's Catholic population, estimated at 395,000, including foreign residents. Filipinos form the largest group within this community. Despite Catholics comprising only about 7% of Singapore's 3.7 million citizens and permanent residents, the religion has a long history in the country.

Portuguese Catholic missionaries first arrived in Singapore in the late 15th century. The first Catholic chapel opened in 1833, followed by a mission school in 1852. In 1885, the Catholic Church was incorporated as a legal entity in Singapore. Today, the Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the predominantly Buddhist and Taoist city-state.

Singapore's religious landscape is diverse, with the government actively promoting religious harmony. The country's Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act protects this diversity. The Catholic Church in Singapore actively participates in inter-religious activities, aligning with Pope Francis' known efforts to promote interfaith dialogue.

During his visit, Pope Francis will meet with Singapore's leadership, visit an elderly home, and hold an inter-religious dialogue with local youth. This aligns with Singapore's multi-racial and multi-religious society, which recognizes four official languages.

For many Singaporean Catholics, this will be their first opportunity to see a pope in person. The last papal visit was in 1986 when Pope John Paul II made a brief 5-hour stop. The invitation for the current visit was extended by then-President Tony Tan during a visit to the Holy See in May 2016.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, established in 1972, has reported widespread excitement within the community. The Church plays a significant role in Singapore's social fabric, running several schools and social service organizations.

As the city-state prepares for this momentous occasion, it's clear that Pope Francis' visit will be a significant event not only for Catholics but for all Singaporeans, highlighting the country's commitment to religious harmony and interfaith dialogue.