Many were wearing the yellow and white of the Vatican flag.
Outside the stadium, several hundred people who did not have tickets watched the proceedings via live streams on their mobile phones.SINGAPORE – A crowd of some 50,000 people, from swaddled infants to white-haired seniors, welcomed Pope Francis to Singapore at the National Stadium on Sept 12.
Moments after he was driven into the stadium at 4.30pm, babies were brought up to him and children lined up before his buggy to be gifted rosaries and sweets. The Pope also stopped to bless several adults, including people with disabilities.Some were moved to tears as they approached the pontiff, while others snapped selfies with him. A few young ones, not knowing the significance of the rare encounter, burst out crying.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his wife, along with other Cabinet ministers, cardinals and bishops from the Holy See and from the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences also attended the mass. One member of the audience stood out in a feathered cap and green tailcoat. Sir Peter Low, Singapore’s only papal knight commander with star, was at the stadium with his wife and daughter.“I was appointed in 2003 by the Pope for my services to the Vatican and the local church,” Sir Peter said.
He also spoke about the beauty of Singapore, noting that “at the origins of these imposing buildings... what we really find is love”. Quoting what the late John Paul II said when he visited Singapore in November 1986, Pope Francis reminded the congregation that “love is characterised by a deep respect for all people, regardless of their race, belief or whatever makes them different from ourselves”.
Referring to how he blessed the children who came up to him during the half-hour circuit, the 57-year-old former civil servant said: “His homily is more than just his speech – it’s his actions. He showed that it’s the children, the disadvantaged, who have the special privilege. His preference is for the poor, the last, the lost, the least.”
Also outside the stadium was Mr Sebastian Lopez, 20, who had arrived in Singapore from Mexico on Sept 8. The student from Tecnologico de Monterrey was on a week-long school trip to Singapore along with 17 other students.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Once in a lifetime’: More than 50,000 people gather at National Stadium for Pope Francis’ massMany were wearing the yellow and white of the Vatican flag.
Read more »
Indonesia’s Jokowi delays relocation to Nusantara once again ‘until airport ready’It was not the first time the President delayed his relocation to the future capital.
Read more »
Indonesia president delays relocation to Nusantara once again ‘until airport ready’This was not the first time the president delayed his relocation to the future capital.
Read more »
National monuments of Singapore: Chung Cheng High School (Main)What is a National Monument? Who gazettes them? How many national monuments are there in Singapore? To date, the Preservation of Sites and Monuments, a division of National Heritage Board, has identified and gazetted 75 buildings, structures and sites of national significance as an integral part of Singapore's built heritage.
Read more »
National monuments of Singapore: The Chinese High School Clock Tower BuildingWhat is a National Monument? Who gazettes them? How many national monuments are there in Singapore? To date, the Preservation of Sites and Monuments, a division of National Heritage Board, has identified and gazetted 75 buildings, structures and sites of national significance as an integral part of Singapore's built heritage.
Read more »
National monuments of Singapore: Singapore River bridgesWhat is a National Monument? Who gazettes them? How many national monuments are there in Singapore? To date, the Preservation of Sites and Monuments, a division of National Heritage Board, has identified and gazetted 75 buildings, structures and sites of national significance as an integral part of Singapore's built heritage.
Read more »