Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/pope-francis-calls-singapore-give-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-state-address
By Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone, 12 September 2024 at 11:02 am
By Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone, 12 September 2024 at 11:02 am
PHOTO: Pope Francis has commended Singapore for its rapid development, but called for "special attention" to be given to the most vulnerable in society.
Photo by AsiaOne / Dennis Palit
Picture posted by Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone on 12 September 2024 at 11:02 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EFxlcXEmD1BHjOhQW3i_kdpyvhExB2vnW3PhEi0uMAI1WWv3bQebMLRSrN7kwjFuE19Vl1coB6STUrhapNnDIxEuFR6h_WOyPpPkIkZXHOFavdwOw1k5DII-vhxF07SLrS_sUutqy1wBFtIdlqyDNQamDDjS3WeNI8O0yB_xXLy5txRfaUjboi-SIB0/s1200/NUSUCCPopeFrancis_AsiaOne.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_top_image/public/original_images/Sep2024/NUSUCCPopeFrancis_AsiaOne.jpg?itok=FDOB1jwu
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/pope-francis-calls-singapore-give-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-state-address
Pope Francis has commended Singapore for its rapid development, but called for "special attention" to be given to the most vulnerable in society.
In his speech at the National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre on Thursday (Sept 12), the 87-year-old pontiff noted the Republic's "growth and resilience".
"Those arriving here for the first time cannot fail to be impressed by the mass of ultra-modern skyscrapers that seem to rise from the sea," he said in Italian.
Speaking to an audience which included members from social welfare groups and religious organisations, the Pope also commended the various policies to improve quality of life here, and in particular the most vulnerable.
PHOTO: Pope Francis listens as President Tharman Shanmugaratnam speaks at the University Cultural Centre on Sept 12, 2024.
Speaking to an audience which included members from social welfare groups and religious organisations, the Pope also commended the various policies to improve quality of life here, and in particular the most vulnerable.
Picture posted by Ang Hwee Min, today on12 September 2024
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxoS4WYhdQ9CzRJOXy0YJUZWaODQL2nlg3-bdz8N2mc9WIEs_AyELIR5MKUoYNCnS0sPieuTWu1LUO7LFKOhmqZ17OjN6hWqrxzftZIl_vKNiwgeIDS5chB-zbQg2n-I3Lii7i3iEshZQdAiCZtWqsvj3Tbkaonjjzp6VWiUxXv-HnP1uDK45vMi8kmI/s830/000_36g44d6.png
https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--aVxaUt6_--/f_auto,q_auto/c_fill,g_auto,h_622,w_830/v1/mediacorp/tdy/image/2024/09/12/000_36g44d6.jpg?itok=Pijvsk5z
https://www.todayonline.com/news/pope-francis-commends-singapores-policies-supporting-vulnerable-hopes-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-2481321
These include through public housing measures, the "high quality" education and an "efficient" healthcare system.
The Pope said: "I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly, whose labours have laid the foundations for the Singapore we see today.
"As well as protecting the dignity of migrant workers. [They] contribute a great deal to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage."
https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--aVxaUt6_--/f_auto,q_auto/c_fill,g_auto,h_622,w_830/v1/mediacorp/tdy/image/2024/09/12/000_36g44d6.jpg?itok=Pijvsk5z
https://www.todayonline.com/news/pope-francis-commends-singapores-policies-supporting-vulnerable-hopes-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-2481321
These include through public housing measures, the "high quality" education and an "efficient" healthcare system.
The Pope said: "I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly, whose labours have laid the foundations for the Singapore we see today.
"As well as protecting the dignity of migrant workers. [They] contribute a great deal to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage."
PHOTO: The Pope said: "I hope that special attention will be paid to the poor and the elderly, whose labours have laid the foundations for the Singapore we see today.
"As well as protecting the dignity of migrant workers. [They] contribute a great deal to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage."
Picture posted by NBC News on 12 September 2024
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlW2mfdHJF1aEZvwRfFObFKnnM6gd6SL3EdbWgMt-T8U8bR6YGiIfS0rMXLQZjAk51sdQtNGUNbYwFD0uooYqPYKvnjYXD42ez4odEGC5nZSFhaBaaokNy_6kFqGjecZ7Qhf0-hTjFMBeIDZtlX2UIQaQYnPHuT2oQixoWvKo6AZ-T4meaIgFrc45ApE/s1500/f_tov_lon_popesingapore_240912-spc0s6.jpg
https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit_1500w/mpx/2704722219/2024_09/f_tov_lon_popesingapore_240912-spc0s6.jpg
https://www.nbcnews.com/video/pope-francis-stresses-respect-for-vulnerable-members-of-society-in-singapore-219225669621
Describing Singapore as a mosaic of ethnicities, cultures and religions living together in harmony, the Pope also said that inclusiveness is facilitated by the impartiality of authorities who engage in constructive dialogue with all.
Mutual respect, co-operation, dialogue and the freedom to exercise one's beliefs within the conflicts of the law allow for Singapore's success and stability, he added.
"They are necessary for avoiding conflict and chaos, and provide instead for a balanced and sustainable development."
https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_fit_1500w/mpx/2704722219/2024_09/f_tov_lon_popesingapore_240912-spc0s6.jpg
https://www.nbcnews.com/video/pope-francis-stresses-respect-for-vulnerable-members-of-society-in-singapore-219225669621
Describing Singapore as a mosaic of ethnicities, cultures and religions living together in harmony, the Pope also said that inclusiveness is facilitated by the impartiality of authorities who engage in constructive dialogue with all.
Mutual respect, co-operation, dialogue and the freedom to exercise one's beliefs within the conflicts of the law allow for Singapore's success and stability, he added.
"They are necessary for avoiding conflict and chaos, and provide instead for a balanced and sustainable development."
PHOTO: Mutual respect, co-operation, dialogue and the freedom to exercise one's beliefs within the conflicts of the law allow for Singapore's success and stability, he added.
Some of the 800 guests spotted in the audience include Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and former presidents Halimah Yacob and Tony Tan.
Photo from ST File
Picture posted by The Straits Times on 25 June 2020 at 11:25 pm - Mr Goh with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on Aug 8, 2018
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKPsPebXK7HaEFDzFbDZsjdF0c_OaouYxvGySKo1FqjffWbvpRVFAHePb9Bl8o_nlmcX1r_4AR-Ea3aFIo1elJfKBzaXNJ1XF08vC9xAfBPqglIXU7W4VGnz0yqveEZ93xy8-dwl1yzI3ALdeurZBttNj7QK2Zejg0JmT8Yk_fMQDZMcbOwBQSJPc9Lc/s1200/ycesm8-250620.png
https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/xxlarge30x20/public/articles/2020/06/25/ycesm8-250620.jpg?VersionId=.dQ_CHx9svEDbOCKhgUNzYz9uTGBcvOy&itok=GS7PJSfY
https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/photos/in-pictures-esm-goh-chok-tong-retires-from-politics
Some of the 800 guests spotted in the audience include Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and former presidents Halimah Yacob and Tony Tan.
Prior to the Pope's address, President Tharman also spoke to the attendees, referring to Pope Francis as an "impassioned global voice against war".
https://static1.straitstimes.com.sg/s3fs-public/styles/xxlarge30x20/public/articles/2020/06/25/ycesm8-250620.jpg?VersionId=.dQ_CHx9svEDbOCKhgUNzYz9uTGBcvOy&itok=GS7PJSfY
https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/photos/in-pictures-esm-goh-chok-tong-retires-from-politics
Some of the 800 guests spotted in the audience include Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, and former presidents Halimah Yacob and Tony Tan.
Prior to the Pope's address, President Tharman also spoke to the attendees, referring to Pope Francis as an "impassioned global voice against war".
PHOTO: Prior to the Pope's address, President Tharman also spoke to the attendees, referring to Pope Francis as an "impassioned global voice against war".
Photo from YouTube / Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore
Picture posted by Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone on 12 September 2024 at 11:02 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm1i4KhCQIE98Zx1qOQhOSP5lf53HfgQglZTOmYJUL1ezJ_zeRxtL2yVhqVvKJSBa4SicBbzwxvqWsAZK6k3n_je0YrQJL5wwvo_96qAUDwqOFVkHQLTnbLiBoSMTNhKTMzUF36f_wcK0UknPHkJcAykyKyU8SCZg3hDOoLrIj_ThOJ8tCXhvVCQlcCY/s1200/NUSUCCPopeFrancisPresidentTharman_youtube.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/NUSUCCPopeFrancisPresidentTharman_youtube.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/pope-francis-calls-singapore-give-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-state-address
He added that the pontiff's consistent call for promoting dialogue and harmony between different groups and faiths is something that "resonates with Singaporeans".
"We are a multi-racial, multi-religious and multicultural society... For us, solidarity and harmony have therefore been at the core - and will remain core - features in our national development," said President Tharman.
Pope's speech 'inspiring'
Several guests told AsiaOne that they found the Pope's speech "inspiring", and a timely reminder of their goals of promoting inter-religious harmony.
President of the Inter-Religious Organisation Gurmit Singh said that he is amazed that the Pope, who has suffered increasing health problems in recent years, is willing to travel around the world to spread peace and harmony.
Singapore is the last leg of the pontiff's gruelling 12-day trip in the Asia-Pacific region. He has since visited Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.
PHOTO: Pope Francis, 87, will travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore in September, the Vatican announced on April 12, 2024.
Picture posted by AFP on 12 April 2024 @ 6:31pm
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28R6eFgc-z200wKzYxuQFU8_cJq5pVRKXHLlOHzqE1ardO1b81x8afJJypfRClNRd7z3uIFgTeuxblRf1e2a6S2INF-VrNsaq5_OwZdTDsShekWF4SRSv-_5pDQ8ZzFCIh2TIq_fn4LGPKvQISevs69m6rlQFbSVQbqBrzBL1HC6sxGJlR8RbHCV-vUs/s900/Pope_Francis120424_1712917898.png
https://assets.nst.com.my/images/articles/Pope_Francis120424_1712917898.jpg
https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2024/04/1037198/updated-pope-travel-indonesia-singapore-timor-leste-and-papua-new-guinea
Singh said: "Promoting racial and religious harmony is what we have been doing already, and it reassures us that we are going down the correct path.
"I'm not a Catholic, so it would be nice if other faith leaders like [the Pope] can go around the world and spread the message that peace can happen."
Hazlina Halim, president of Singapore Muslim Women's Association, was particularly moved by the Pope praying for spiritual help for members of the government and civil society to "respond to the needs and expectations of young people".
https://assets.nst.com.my/images/articles/Pope_Francis120424_1712917898.jpg
https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2024/04/1037198/updated-pope-travel-indonesia-singapore-timor-leste-and-papua-new-guinea
Singh said: "Promoting racial and religious harmony is what we have been doing already, and it reassures us that we are going down the correct path.
"I'm not a Catholic, so it would be nice if other faith leaders like [the Pope] can go around the world and spread the message that peace can happen."
Hazlina Halim, president of Singapore Muslim Women's Association, was particularly moved by the Pope praying for spiritual help for members of the government and civil society to "respond to the needs and expectations of young people".
PHOTO: Hazlina Halim, president of Singapore Muslim Women's Association, speaking to the media after the Pope's state address on Sept 12.
Photo by AsiaOne / Ching Shi Jie
Picture posted by Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone on 12 September 2024 at 11:02 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6qo7L3PG_Us5Q0chP3aWyeTOnDtJL8dASvLCa0jCXV2-a7-siGtPFYv3ZlDLjWPrXBWLxOWUnyyLUrT1OzaHlYGtrL9ZEb6J0CpxXBDcUo_Hk7CVu6qIMvQ0bk5rqoisM70p0obgvYsqNbI1-LWX6mn_myMbJlS3LCeYdkXPcSO8lMXXon4aGRphRqI/s1200/20241209_popestateaddress_0.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/20241209_popestateaddress_0.jpg
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/pope-francis-calls-singapore-give-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-state-address
"I found that really beautiful," said Halim, whose non-profit organisation provides family services, student care and early childhood education for women and families.
"It's also a reminder of what we do - to uplift the vulnerable amongst us."
PHOTO: Pope Francis meets with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Parliament House on Sept 12, 2024.
Picture posted by Ang Hwee Min, today on 12 September 2024
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IZbheeUKgG2TglUVyFf7owN9YkDcsVgbyYeNfJdx7K4iF-8d7zJvqzOGZIHTwD_Nz6E7KMgLR0c_OECZt7TcnA0j0r01YPV-THY5aCfJMlhygRuJadOcCsHWKdNF77a5ONyFrlKKXTvmtnqwGQ7aTZrREhBiOPHEgeSXQWmX8rLYbkc5cqBd5ZTMYZk/s830/000_36fw397.png
https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--fxMHIGli--/f_auto,q_auto/c_fill,g_auto,h_622,w_830/v1/mediacorp/tdy/image/2024/09/12/000_36fw397.jpg?itok=QXmjDbm9
https://www.todayonline.com/news/pope-francis-commends-singapores-policies-supporting-vulnerable-hopes-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-2481321
https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--fxMHIGli--/f_auto,q_auto/c_fill,g_auto,h_622,w_830/v1/mediacorp/tdy/image/2024/09/12/000_36fw397.jpg?itok=QXmjDbm9
https://www.todayonline.com/news/pope-francis-commends-singapores-policies-supporting-vulnerable-hopes-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-2481321
PHOTO: Pope Francis also had an orchid hybrid named after him.
CEO of Singapore's National Parks Board Hwang Yu-Ning presents Pope Francis with a "Dendrobium His Holiness Pope Francis", a specially bred orchid variety named after him at Parliament House on Sept 12, 2024.
Picture posted by Ang Hwee Min, today on 12 September 2024
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvZyrbtQjnDAuTo2jyu8uF6jdcT_if9eqDdletVYUPs1wzHvq2zITakePwGzmS_KQtjIfsEgdinI2Plo5UIHzaXy07m90TFnKL3FMXFFVAHG5E3Lpw8DFreY6dOwNs0OP2ctxhov6Lt6xYrVe_JNWnBdI1Dz761CW3Tckv32X_gNRcGa31WXTervD8hY/s830/000_36g2492.png
https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--W2F5owbm--/f_auto,q_auto/c_fill,g_auto,h_622,w_830/v1/mediacorp/tdy/image/2024/09/12/000_36g2492.jpg?itok=ylD3JgP4
https://www.todayonline.com/news/pope-francis-commends-singapores-policies-supporting-vulnerable-hopes-special-attention-poor-and-elderly-2481321
By Ching Shi Jie, chingshijie@asiaone.com, Asiaone, 12 September 2024 at 11:02 am
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
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