HONG KONG (SE): It was one of the longest papal trips ever in terms of days on the road and distance travelled—covering four nations in Asia and Oceana. But Pope Francis, at the age of 87, bothered by sciatica and knee issues, appeared to be having the time of his life, tremendous vigour as he conducted dozens of public engagements, energised congregations through impromptu call-and-response, and repeatedly sat for hours in the brutal tropical heat; in his element in the peripheries of the world.
In Singapore, his final stop, The Associated Press reported that the pope once again ditched his remarks when he arrived at the last event on September 13, a meeting of with Singaporean young people.
Some 600 participants from more than 50 schools and interfaith and religious organisations attended the interreligious dialogue, according to Vatican News.
“If you dialogue as young people,” the pope said, “then you will be able to do so as citizens and as members of a community.”
The pope also addressed technology and social media, noting that these are useful, but exhorting the young people not to become enslaved to them.
“That’s the talk I prepared,” he said, pointing to his speech as he launched into a spontaneous back-and-forth with the young people about the need to have courage and take risks, The Associated Press reported.
“What’s worse: Make a mistake because I take a certain path, or not make a mistake and stay home?” he asked.
Answering his own question he said, “A young person who doesn’t take a risk, who is afraid of making a mistake, is an old person,” the pope said.
“I hope all of you go forward,” he said. “Don’t go back. Don’t go back. Take risks.”
Earlier on the morning of September 13, the pope visited the elderly and sick at St. Theresa’s Home. “I ask you to pray for the Church and for humanity. Your prayers are very important to God,” he told them, adding, “God is happy to hear your prayers.”
When he arrived in Singapore a few days earlier, on September 11, Pope Francis had travelled from Timor-Leste, one of the world’s poorest nations to one of the richest. He was met at the airport by William Cardinal Goh, the archbishop of Singapore and Archbishop Julian Leow of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to the Vatican, Janet Ang, and Edwin Tong, the minister for Culture, Community and Youth among others.
What’s worse: Make a mistake because I take a certain path, or not make a mistake and stay home?
Pope Francis
“Viva… viva Papa Francisco [long live Pope Francis],” groups of young people cheered rhythmically, clad in papal colors of yellow and white, UCAN reported.
The pope then held a private meeting with members of the Society of Jesus—as is his habit on all his journeys—at the St. Francis Xavier Retreat Centre where he stayed for duration of his stay.
Speaking at the University of Singapore on September 12, Pope Francis praised the achievements of the people of Singapore, especially in maintaining racial and inter-religious harmony, ecological and environmental protection, and encouraged them to be kind to the poor, the foreign domestic helpers, and the disadvantaged.
With him were around 800 participants, including government officials, diplomats, representative of religious groups, members of civil society, academics and students, including the country’s president, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and former presidents, Tony Tan and Halimah Yacob. The pope observed that Singapore has “access to capital, technology and talent” that puts it at the forefront of sustainable development and innovative solutions, means that it has a responsibility to continue to work “in the favour of humanity and the common good of all peoples and all nations,” Vatican News reported.
Calling for balance between economic development and social justice, he warned that this must take place “in a way that does not exclude others or is restricted to national interests.”
I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly—whose labours have laid the foundations for the Singapore we see today—as well as to protecting the dignity of migrant workers
Pope Francis
The pope said that those who have means, like Singapore, can be “a shining example of what humanity can achieve by working together in harmony” in a “spirit of inclusiveness and fraternity,” as men and women across the globe strive to “build a world in which the common good is held in high regard.”
He stressed, “I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly—whose labours have laid the foundations for the Singapore we see today—as well as to protecting the dignity of migrant workers.”
“These workers contribute a great deal to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage,” he said.
The pope observed that Singapore is “a mosaic of ethnicities, cultures and religions living together in harmony.” He noted that the Catholic Church there has constantly promoted interreligious dialogue and cooperation between different faith communities in a spirit of openness and mutual respect, which are fundamental for building a just and peaceful society, UCAN reported.
At the National Stadium on the evening of September 12, Pope Francis celebrated Mass with a reported 55,000 people, Cardinal Goh; Sebastian Cardinal Francis of Penang; Charles Cardinal Bo of Yangon, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences; and Archbishop Leow concelebrated along with some 300 priests. Also present were Cardinal Stephen Chow, s.j., the bishop of Hong Kong, together and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, ofm., were in Singapore with a delegation of faithful to participate in the last leg of the pope’s apostolic visit.
I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly—whose labours have laid the foundations for the Singapore we see today—as well as to protecting the dignity of migrant workers
Pope Francis
One member of the Hong Kong delegation, Josephine Wai, told the Sunday Examiner that she was deeply moved by the sight which gave her a strong sense of the “one and holy” Church.
Also among those present were the Singapore’s prime minister, Lawrence Wong, and some of his cabinet ministers.
Reflecting on the words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:1, “Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up,” Vatican News reported the pope as stressing that love, “[not] money, techniques, or even engineering ability” is the foundation of great works.
He quoted Pope St. John Paul, “in our own love we see a reflection of God’s love … love that is characterised by a deep respect for all people, regardless of their race, belief, or whatever makes them different from ourselves” and pointed out their importance … “because, beyond the astonishment we feel in the face of human works, they 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 [every day].”
Pope Francis went on to say that God’s love invites us to share with others, to respond generously to the needs of the poor, to encourage those who suffer, and to be always ready to forgive and to hope”.
