Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/man-has-longest-conversation-pope-francis-catholic-jc-what-did-they-talk-about
By Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone, 17 September 2024 at 04:00 pm
By Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone, 17 September 2024 at 04:00 pm
PHOTO: Pope Francis speaking with Lawrence Chong at Catholic Junior College on Sept 13.
Photo from YouTube / Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
Picture posted by Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone on 17 September 2024 at 04:00 pm
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https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/man-has-longest-conversation-pope-francis-catholic-jc-what-did-they-talk-about
From blessing babies at the National Stadium to greeting nursing home residents, Pope Francis touched the hearts of many people during his recent visit to Singapore.
For one man, exchanging words with the 87-year-old pontiff on Sept 13 was an "unexpected gift".
Donning a red tie, Lawrence Chong greeted the Pope as he arrived for an inter-religious dialogue with youths at Catholic Junior College (CJC) on the final day of his visit here.
PHOTO: Donning a red tie, Lawrence Chong greeted the Pope as he arrived for an inter-religious dialogue with youths at Catholic Junior College (CJC) on the final day of his visit here.
Picture posted by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
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https://www.popefrancis2024.sg/pope-francis-meets-interreligious-youth/
Some netizens later gushed on social media about the images of Chong and Pope Francis embracing while engaged in a warm conversation, which was captured during a live-stream of the event.
"What a beautiful moment with the Pope," one commented in Chong's Facebook post.
In an interview with AsiaOne on Tuesday (Sept 17), Chong, who is the organising chairman of the Pope's visit to CJC, said that he had rehearsed for the two-minute interaction in Italian.
PHOTO: Some netizens later gushed on social media about the images of Chong and Pope Francis embracing while engaged in a warm conversation, which was captured during a live-stream of the event.
"What a beautiful moment with the Pope," one commented in Chong's Facebook post.
Picture posted by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
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https://www.popefrancis2024.sg/pope-francis-meets-interreligious-youth/
"I told him, 'Welcome Pope Francis, my name is Lawrence and many greetings from the Focolarini," said Chong, referring to a Roman Catholic movement that he is a member of.
Chong, who is also a consultor of the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, described how the Pope spoke slowly and imparted words of spiritual guidance to him.
PHOTO: "I told him, 'Welcome Pope Francis, my name is Lawrence and many greetings from the Focolarini," said Chong, referring to a Roman Catholic movement that he is a member of.
Picture posted by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
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https://www.popefrancis2024.sg/pope-francis-meets-interreligious-youth/
The past three interactions with the Pope were diplomatic, said Chong, adding that the latest one — his longest one yet — was due to the "right timing".
"I think it was also because he was really happy that morning seeing hundreds of young people in Singapore," he added.
Posted by AsiaOne on Friday, 13 September 2024 at 12:32 pm
https://www.facebook.com/asiaonecom/posts/925982116220941
'This is the Pope Francis I know'
Pope Francis appeared to be in good spirits during the last event of his three-day visit to Singapore.
"That's the talk I prepared," the pontiff said, pointing to his speech and then going into an spontaneous exchange with the youths about the need to have courage and take risks.
For Chong, he knew there was a high chance that the Pope would go off-script during the dialogue session that day.
"That's the talk I prepared," the pontiff said, pointing to his speech and then going into an spontaneous exchange with the youths about the need to have courage and take risks.
For Chong, he knew there was a high chance that the Pope would go off-script during the dialogue session that day.
PHOTO: Pope Francis appeared to be in good spirits during the last event of his three-day visit to Singapore.
"That's the talk I prepared," the pontiff said, pointing to his speech and then going into an spontaneous exchange with the youths about the need to have courage and take risks.
Picture posted by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
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https://www.popefrancis2024.sg/pope-francis-meets-interreligious-youth/
He had also sent the youths' questions for the Pope to Vatican officials before the event.
"From past experiences of working for such events in Rome, he loves engaging with youth leaders," Chong said, adding that it would be "too much of a show" if the Pope had stuck to his prepared speech.
"So when it happened, I was thanking God. This is the Pope Francis I know, he really dislikes officialdom and prefers connecting with the ground."
PHOTO: "So when it happened, I was thanking God. This is the Pope Francis I know, he really dislikes officialdom and prefers connecting with the ground."
Picture posted by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
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https://www.popefrancis2024.sg/pope-francis-meets-interreligious-youth/
While Chong's interaction with the Pope had gone viral, the latter's response to the dialogue at CJC meant a lot more to him.
During a press conference on his flight back to Rome, Pope Francis described the inter-religious meeting as a "model of fraternity (friendship and mutual support within a group)."
"That dialogue session has gone worldwide," said Chong, adding that he intends on holding similar inter-religious dialogues here in the future.
PHOTO: While Chong's interaction with the Pope had gone viral, the latter's response to the dialogue at CJC meant a lot more to him.
During a press conference on his flight back to Rome, Pope Francis described the inter-religious meeting as a "model of fraternity (friendship and mutual support within a group)."
Picture posted by The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisk0ZI9YgjflIFLCcgZS7cvfRcxMPAXjx4fxSlUiXMtHP8AXNK4pKyIxw920ZFunbBUAljpv58HsU4bAli6GBFfMbhpoOxRJvzJMfChsQ9T-nCqTI3HJbHMaKZNxnyN7UCqDirirLGxRBjuZJD1DMmFki1g5nzlGyXXlJduNDwpDx4TsyWhY9xWCHUt_g/s1133/cjc-6.jpg
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https://www.popefrancis2024.sg/pope-francis-meets-interreligious-youth/
PHOTO: Staff: papa where you wanna go in singapore
Papa: anything catholic
Staff: ok lets google catholic
“Catholic junior college “
- @leehyunsong7001, 4 days ago
Picture posted by Rappler on Friday, 13 September 2024, the last day of his longest papal journey - Pope Francis meets with young people at Singapore's Catholic Junior College
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVNx3gdQtGo
PHOTO: "From past experiences of working for such events in Rome, he loves engaging with youth leaders," Chong said.
From blessing babies at the National Stadium to greeting nursing home residents, Pope Francis touched the hearts of many people during his recent visit to Singapore.
Picture posted by AsiaOne on Friday, 13 September 2024 at 12:32 pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34HnNm7GWGGlUVzxUI2_7rOWUnf1UYAA-AtmiBvJhUnnNjiYfxMWAd2XVtF0LfI6-UozuJP1HCqkhFuV1oYTQNhnNOKNHDtwv9LS9s1DDlnd7hFtwtz9k5AiO487gOtgKNu7-if9mmgD5UuEUesseGS5FT4QiBl5iDCDfs0bNK-SA2JAnMfIuT_9_Sag/s2048/459339060_925975689554917_6542246049629360506_n.jpg
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By Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone, 17 September 2024 at 04:00 pm
For more on Pope Francis' state visit, visit our microsite.
For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.
For more on Pope Francis' state visit, visit our microsite.
For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.
More on Pope Francis visits in Singapore
Pope Francis calls on Singapore to give 'special attention' to poor and elderly in state address, posted on Tuesday, 17 September 2024
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2024/09/pope-francis-calls-on-singapore-to-give.html
Punggol residents in awe of being neighbours to Pope Francis during his stay, posted on Monday, 16 September 2024
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2024/09/punggol-residents-in-awe-of-being.html
'Viva il Papa' Over 1,000 people turn up for arrival of Pope Francis in Singapore, posted on Saturday, 14 September 2024
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2024/09/viva-il-papa-over-1000-people-turn-up.html