On a sunny Thursday, about 50,000 Catholics gathered in Singapore’s National Stadium for a special Mass with Pope Francis.
The event, held on one of the last days of his visit to Southeast Asia and Oceania, marked a historic moment for the country’s Catholic community.
Pope Francis took this opportunity to highlight the life and legacy of St. Francis Xavier, a missionary known for spreading God’s love across Asia centuries ago.
Celebrating in a National Landmark
The Mass was held in the Singapore National Stadium, a striking landmark that boasts the largest free-span dome in the world.
Despite its 55,000-seat capacity, the stadium was nearly full as people of all ages came together for this significant event.
Alongside local Singaporeans were migrant workers from Malaysia, Vietnamese Catholics, and even a delegation from Hong Kong, led by Cardinal Stephen Chow.
Pope Francis’ visit to Singapore followed stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor.
While these nations have strong ties to Islam and Christianity, Singapore’s Catholic community is smaller, with about 176,000 members.
Yet, the Catholic Church in Singapore holds deep historical roots, dating back to the first missionaries who arrived in the region alongside St. Francis Xavier in the 16th century.
Honoring St. Francis Xavier and Mary
During his homily, Pope Francis spoke warmly of St. Francis Xavier, calling him a “saint dear to this land.”
He reminded the congregation of the saint’s passionate desire to spread love and faith, even quoting from a letter St. Francis wrote to St. Ignatius of Loyola.
In the letter, St. Francis expressed his longing to inspire others to become missionaries and to answer the call of God with the words, “Lord, I am here! What do you want me to do?”
The pontiff also tied his message to the day’s memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary.
He urged Catholics to follow the examples of both St. Francis and Mary, to continually listen and respond to God’s invitation to live justly and love fully.
A Community United in Song
The Mass featured a large choir and band, filling the stadium with music and praise.
Among those singing was Chiarina Mapa, an Australian-Filipina living in Singapore.
She shared her joy in being able to sing for the pope, especially as she and her fellow choir members had practiced tirelessly in the heat for weeks leading up to the event.
For others, the occasion was deeply personal.
Edwin Lim Poh Hoi, a Singaporean Catholic who was baptized 20 years ago, volunteered for the Mass as a way to atone for his past before he became a Christian.
The sense of community and devotion was palpable as Catholics from different walks of life came together for this momentous occasion.
A Reminder of the Power of Love
In his message to the faithful, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of love, stating that “nothing lasting is born or grows without love.”
He warned that sometimes we get caught up in the grandeur of our ambitions and forget that love is at the core of everything we do.
He reminded Catholics that without love, we are nothing, and that faith helps us see this truth even more clearly.
Pope Francis also quoted from a homily given by St. John Paul II during his visit to Singapore in 1986, reinforcing the timeless message that love, compassion, and forgiveness are at the heart of the Gospel.
Singapore’s Growing Catholic Presence
Although Singapore is a multiethnic and secular state with a variety of religions, the Catholic Church is experiencing growth.
While the majority of the population practices Buddhism, Christianity, and Catholicism are steadily increasing.
This trend is encouraging for the local Catholic community, as it continues to flourish in a diverse and pluralistic society.
As Pope Francis concluded his visit to Singapore, he left the congregation with a lasting reminder of the importance of love and faith.
After meetings with local leaders, clergy, and young people, the pope is set to return to Rome, concluding his tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania.