On the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, Pope Francis celebrated a Mass in front of approximately 50,000 people at Singapore’s National Stadium.
During his homily, the pope reflected on the city-state, known for its towering skyscrapers, and emphasized the importance of love in building up communities.
“Sometimes the magnificence of our achievements can cause us to lose sight of this, leading us to believe we are the sole architects of our lives, our prosperity, and our happiness,” Pope Francis remarked. “But ultimately, life always reminds us of one fundamental truth: without love, we are nothing.”
Singapore is one of the most economically powerful countries in the world.
It has strong relations with both China and the U.S., and in his address to political authorities, Pope Francis emphasized the country’s responsibility to promote peace.
“Singapore also has a specific role to play in the international system, which, let us not forget, is threatened today by bloody conflicts and wars,” Pope Francis said. “I’m glad that it has meritoriously promoted multilateralism and order based on rules shared by all. I encourage you to continue to work for the unity and fraternity of humankind.”
John Lavenburg, national correspondent for The Tablet and Crux, joins Currents News to talk more about the papal journey in Asia.