12-9-2024 (SINGAPORE) The city-state of Singapore rolled out the red carpet for Pope Francis on the second day of his historic visit, marking only the second time a pontiff has set foot on the island nation in nearly four decades. The 87-year-old Argentine Pope, leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, was greeted with a mixture of pomp, ceremony, and genuine warmth from both officials and ordinary citizens alike.
The day began under clear skies, a stark contrast to the previous night’s downpour. As the Pope’s motorcade made its way along North Bridge Road, throngs of well-wishers lined the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the spiritual leader. Pope Francis, ever the people’s pontiff, waved graciously from the windows of his specially chosen vehicle – a locally manufactured Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car, symbolising Singapore’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The focal point of the morning was a ceremonial welcome held at Parliament House, the seat of Singapore’s government. In a thoughtful gesture acknowledging the Pope’s recent mobility challenges, a ramp was installed to facilitate his access to the grand entrance hall. There, flanked by ceremonial guards standing at attention, Pope Francis took his place alongside President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the foot of the sweeping granite staircases leading to the parliamentary chamber.
In a touching tribute, a newly hybridised orchid was unveiled and named in the pontiff’s honour. The Dendrobium His Holiness Pope Francis, described by the National Parks Board as exuding “a serene and pure beauty”, boasts ivory-white petals and sepals, with a delicate hint of pink on its lip. This horticultural gesture is a longstanding Singaporean tradition, often reserved for visiting dignitaries and celebrities.
The Pope’s message in the visitor’s book resonated with Singapore’s multicultural ethos: “Like the star that guided the Magi, so let the light of wisdom always guide Singapore in building a united society capable of conveying hope.” This reference to the Biblical story of the Christmas Star of Bethlehem struck a chord with the assembled guests, which included Cabinet ministers, MPs, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps.
Following the ceremony, Pope Francis engaged in high-level meetings with President Tharman and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, discussions likely to cover topics ranging from interfaith harmony to global challenges like climate change and poverty alleviation.
The pontiff’s visit to Singapore began the previous day with a heartwarming reception at Changi Airport. Approximately 1,000 Catholics, many of whom had been involved in organising the papal visit, gathered along the Jurassic Mile of Airport Boulevard. Their enthusiastic chants of “Viva, viva, Papa Francesco” created a jubilant atmosphere as the Pope was transported by buggy to his waiting vehicle.
This visit marks a significant moment in Singapore’s religious and diplomatic history. The last papal visit to the island was in 1986 when Pope John Paul II made a brief five-hour stopover during a tour of the Asia-Pacific region. Pope Francis’s more extended stay underscores the growing importance of Asia in the Catholic Church’s global outreach and Singapore’s status as a key player in regional interfaith dialogue.
