As Pope Francis wrapped up his final day in Singapore, he shared a heartfelt message with the elderly and the youth, reflecting on the nature of religions and their role in approaching God.
His visit marked the end of a significant 12-day journey across four countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania, aiming to connect with diverse communities.
Blessings and Gratitude at St. Theresa’s Home
During his visit to St. Theresa’s Home, Singapore’s oldest Catholic-run nursing home, Pope Francis met with about 200 elderly residents and staff.
Many residents, eager to see the pope up close, reached out to shake his hand as he moved through the corridors.
Before delivering his blessing in English, the pope expressed deep gratitude for the residents’ patience and prayers, encouraging them to continue praying for him.
“Your prayers are very important before God,” he told them.
“God is very happy to hear your prayers.
With this blessing, the Lord shows himself close to you and pardons everything.”
Inspiring Youth Through Interfaith Dialogue
After visiting St. Theresa’s Home, Pope Francis was struck by the enthusiasm of Singapore’s youth for interfaith dialogue.
Speaking to students at Catholic Junior College, he compared religions to different languages that all aim to express the divine.
“Religions are like paths trying to reach God,” he said.
“There is only one God, and all religions are ways to approach Him.”
He encouraged youth representatives, including Raaj, Preet, and Nicole, to embrace hope and move forward despite mistakes and shortcomings.
“Youth is courageous and likes to seek the truth,” he said.
The pope challenged them to be critical thinkers, asking, “Do you have the courage to criticize and also to be criticized?”
Emphasizing Respect in Interfaith Conversations
During the youth-led meeting, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of respect in interfaith dialogue.
He spoke about the need to acknowledge both our abilities and limitations, emphasizing that respect for others is crucial.
“Overcoming these things helps in your interfaith dialogue,” he explained.
“It is built upon respect for others. This is very important.”
The Diverse Religious Landscape of Singapore
Singapore is known for its rich religious diversity, with about 26% of the population identifying as Buddhist, 18% as Muslim, 17% as Christian, and 8% as Hindu.
Additionally, 22% of Singaporeans do not affiliate with any specific religion, according to Pew Research Center.
A Final Appeal for Unity
Before concluding his visit, Pope Francis met with bishops, priests, and religious leaders at the St. Francis Xavier Retreat Centre.
Emphasizing the theme of “Unity and Hope,” he reminded them to stay united with God and among themselves, and to be present with the people they serve.
At midday, the pope departed for Singapore Changi Airport, wrapping up his whirlwind apostolic journey.
His travels, which began on September 2, included visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, where he engaged with leaders and communities across Southeast Asia and Oceania.