On Thursday, Pope Francis praised Singapore for being a "shining example" of fostering unity through harmony and cooperation but also cautioned about the risks that rapid progress could pose to families, human relationships, and vulnerable members of society. pope made these remarks during his visit to Singapore, often called the "Lion City," a day after his arrival. On September 12, he met separately with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Parliament House.

During his meeting, Pope Francis expressed admiration for the country's leaders, past and present, for their commitment to building a united society amidst Singapore's rich diversity of ethnicities, religions, and cultures. In Parliament House, he inscribed in Singapore's honor book: "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."

Singapore, home to around 5.9 million people, was ranked the world’s fourth-richest nation by Global Finance in 2024, with a GDP of $133,737. Since its independence in 1965, the country has experienced rapid growth under the leadership of its first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who served for 25 years.

In his address to civil leaders and diplomats at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Pope Francis praised Singapore for being a testament to human ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. However, he urged the country, with its motto “Majulah Singapura” (“Onward Singapore”), not to overlook the poor, elderly, and migrant workers.

pope highlighted the risks of focusing too much on pragmatism or meritocracy, which could lead to excluding marginalized groups from progress. He acknowledged and commended Singapore’s policies aimed at supporting vulnerable populations but stressed the need for continued attention to the elderly, who helped build the country, and to the fair treatment of migrant workers, noting their significant contributions to society.

Pope Francis also expressed concern over Singapore's aging population and low birth rates, emphasizing the importance of family life and authentic human relationships in a rapidly advancing technological world. He warned against letting digital advancements and artificial intelligence undermine the need for real, meaningful connections. pope stressed that families are under pressure from modern social conditions and that their foundations risk being weakened. He called for families to be supported in passing on values that give life meaning and teaching young people how to form strong, healthy relationships.

Last year, NUS published a book, Singapore Aging: Issues and Challenges Ahead, highlighting the country’s need to adapt to its aging population. In 2020, 1 in 6 Singaporeans were over 65 years old.

On Friday, the final day of his four-country apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania, Pope Francis is set to visit the elderly at St. Theresa’s Home, a Catholic nursing facility, and participate in an interreligious youth gathering at Catholic Junior College. He will also celebrate a private Mass and meet with clergy and religious leaders.