SINGAPORE – Houses close to the ground are a rare sight in Singapore. We are more used to tall apartments built by the government, where almost 80% of the population resides. One or two-story homes built on “landed property” are a sign of wealth, in a country where land is scarce.
Far northeast of Singapore, in the remote neighborhood of Punggol, sits an estate with a collection of such houses. On almost any other day, this quiet little estate would be practically deserted, and one might spot wild chickens roaming around. But on this this particular Friday morning, September 13, a crowd of about 150 people (myself included) lined the single road out of the estate, waiting in the sweltering morning heat to catch a glimpse of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Singapore was the final stop of the Pope’s journey to Southeast Asia and Oceania. A grueling 12-day trip, with visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor, the Pope landed here on Wednesday, September 11.
I’m a Muslim who is not particularly religious, so you may be forgiven for thinking that this visit was not very interesting for me. On the contrary, I find fascinating the Pope’s unique position as a global authority on world affairs.
Tireless voice
As a head of state of one of the smallest countries in the world, I believe the Pope demonstrates how small countries (like my own) can nonetheless exert influence on world developments. In addition to providing spiritual leadership for billions, the Pope has been a tireless voice speaking up for migrants, the under-privileged and victims of war.
Given his status, one might expect the pontiff to reside in a luxury hotel for his visit. When former US President Donald Trump visited Singapore in 2017 for a summit with North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Un, Trump stayed at the Shangri-La while Kim slept at the St. Regis, both five-star establishments.
Instead, the Pope chose to stay at St. Francis Xavier Retreat Centre, a seminary at Ponggol Seventeenth Avenue. A statement of humility, as the public have come to expect from a remarkable leader.
On the morning of September 13, I made my way down to the neighborhood to speak to the well-wishers gathered there. There were babies and children, and elderly folk milling around. Some carried hand-made signs wishing the Pope good health and a safe flight. Others carried crosses and rosaries. Almost all had camera phones, waiting for the moment where the Papal convoy would drive past and hoping to capture a souvenir of a lifetime.
A Filipino man who only wanted to be known as Benjamin, arrived with his wife Catherine, their nine-year-old daughter and a family friend, at about 8:30 am. “It is a blessing for us,” Benjamin said, when asked about the chance to see the Pope. Benjamin shared that as a kid in 1995, Pope St. John Paul II visited the Philippines and it was one of the “highlights” of his life.
This is not the first time that the couple have seen the Pope. Five years ago, they traveled to Rome and Vatican City to see Pope Francis. Catherine herself had attended the mass that took place in Singapore’s National Stadium a day before, an event with a crowd over 50,000 strong.
It was a “once in a lifetime experience,” Catherine said. But despite having been there, she still made the trek with her family to Punggol to stand in the hot sun and wait to see the Pope again. I was moved by their determination. I had to be here for work, but they were here on their own time.
“It leaves a mark in our lives, makes us feel closer to the Lord,” she told me, after I asked why she’d made the trip to see the Pope again. “We feel the presence of the Lord through him.”
Strong voice for migrants
Despite the Philippines being one of the most Catholic countries in Southeast Asia, and the Pope having visited in 2015, it was not included in the Pope’s itinerary this time.
I spoke to Dr Michel Chambon, a Catholic theologian and a research fellow with Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore, about the significance of the trip.
Chambon pointed out that the Pope has been “very outspoken” about migrants, and Singapore happens to have one of the largest migrant populations in the world. As of June 2023, according to Singapore’s National Population and Talent Division, there are 1.77 million non-residents out of a total population of 5.92 million. Chambon said there are around 200,000 Filipinos in Singapore, the vast majority of whom are Catholics who “contribute a lot” to the Church.
He also made the point that while the word “migrant” may have connotations of low-income workers, there are many highly-educated, high-earning Filipinos working in Singapore.
“I know that [Pope] Francis has been extremely vocal about poor migrants, but I think in Southeast Asia, it’s very important to say it’s not just poor migrants. We have all [kinds] of people floating around, circulating, and we love it.”
Looking past differences
Indeed, the Bishop of Rome chose to mention migrant workers in his speech, delivered at the National University of Singapore on September 12.
“I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly — whose labors 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.”
During Holy Mass at the National Stadium on the same day, the Pope exhorted those in attendance to recall the visit of a previous Pope to Singapore, Pope St. John Paul II, in 1986.
“He went on to add the important point that, “love is characterizsed by a deep respect for all people, regardless of their race, belief or whatever makes them different from ourselves.”
While I was not yet born, I recall speaking to older people who did attend his Mass and just like Benjamin, they rank the former Pope’s visit as one of the highlights of their lives.
Pope Francis added that while one may be astonished by human works, they remind us that there is a grater wonder to be embraced, with greater respect: “Namely, the brothers and sisters we meet, without discrimination, every day on our path, as we see in Singaporean society and the Church, which are ethnically diverse and yet united and in solidarity!”
I managed to get in touch with two Filipino women who attended the Mass, and said that the Pope’s words resonated with them.
Vichelle Guirao said the visit was a “blessing” and added, “His message of ‘Christ’s love that builds up and transcends human differences was one of hope in a world of division and conflict.”
Meanwhile Celine Abueg said she felt “unbelievably blessed” that she and her family got a chance to attend the Mass and see the pontiff in person.
“To me, he epitomises what it truly means to be Catholic – to live with humility and compassion and to love and respect all people, regardless of their beliefs and differences.”
She added, “‘Love prevails above all things’ was the Pope’s message to us all, a message that speaks to hope and unity in the world and the importance of embracing others the way God embraces us.”
To see him again
I had been waiting for about an hour-and-a-half. The people around me, even longer. But I was keenly aware that this was an opportunity that may never come again.
Those waiting were finally rewarded when the pontiff appeared in an unassuming white car. It stopped for a moment as he beckoned a well-wisher over and spoke to them briefly. The crowd cheered, applauding and calling out to the Pope. Many took photos, their own memento of a special moment.
He then drove off, waving to the crowd, with Benjamin and Catherine among them.
After it was over, I asked them how they felt about getting the chance to see the Pope when many of their fellow Filipinos could not, at least during this trip.
Catherine said one does not need to be physically present, just keep the faith and know that God has a plan. As for Benjamin, he believes the Pope will visit again in the future. – Rappler.com
Sulaiman Daud is a 2024 #FactsMatter fellow of Rappler. He is a writer and editor at Mothership, Singapore’s youth-focused digital news platform.
