Rome Newsroom, 12 September, 2024 / 7:45 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis on Thursday praised Singapore for its “shining example” in building a united country based on harmony and cooperation but highlighted risks rapid progress could have on the family, human relationships, and the weakest members of society.
A day after landing in the wealthy Southeast Asian city-state, also known as “Lion City,” the Holy Father met with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in separate meetings at Parliament House on Sept. 12.
The pope expressed his admiration for the dedication of the country’s past and present leaders to build unity amid a diversity of ethnicities, religions, and cultures.
“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,” the pope wrote in Singapore’s honor book in Parliament House.
Home to approximately 5.9 million people, Singapore was ranked by Global Finance as the world’s fourth-richest nation in 2024 with a GDP of $133,737. Since becoming a republic in 1965, led by the country’s first prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, for 25 years, the country experienced rapid growth and transformation.