During his three-day stay, the pontiff's agenda includes meeting with Jesuit members, attending an official welcome ceremony at the Parliament House, and conversing with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He will also deliver a speech at the National University of Singapore and conduct a Mass at the 55,000-seat National Stadium, which will draw faithful from neighboring countries.
The pope's itinerary features encounters with various segments of society. He plans to greet believers from his popemobile, visit the elderly at St. Theresa's Home, and engage in interfaith dialogue with youth at the Catholic Junior College. This trip concludes his 12-day journey, the longest overseas pastoral visit since his pontificate began in 2013.
Singapore, with a population of 5.9 million, is known for its religious diversity. While Buddhism is the predominant faith, the nation is home to approximately 210,000 Catholics. The country celebrated its bicentennial of church establishment in 2021 and has maintained diplomatic relations with the Vatican since 1981.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
