Some of the children greeted Pope Francis with handshakes and selfies. - ST
SINGAPORE: Cheers filled the National Stadium as Pope Francis arrived at 4.30pm to a welcome from more than 50,000 people who had gathered hours in advance to witness the papal mass, the climax of the pontiff’s three-day visit to Singapore.
Moments after he was driven into the stadium, babies were brought up to him and children gathered before his buggy. They were gifted rosaries and sweets, and were soon joined by some adults, including those with disabilities
Some were moved to tears as they went up to the pontiff, while others snapped selfies with him and a few young ones, not knowing the significance of the rare encounter, burst out crying.
Pope Francis arriving at the National Stadium for the papal mass on Sept 12. - ST
Many in the crowd were wearing the yellow and white of the Vatican flag, and at the entrance, the souvenir store, selling items such as T-shirts, sling bags and commemorative pins, had been all but cleaned out by 3pm.
Earlier, on the pitch and in the six tiers of seats around it, people sat fanning themselves, some clutching rosaries. They gamely cheered as emcees working the stage shouted out the names of each of Singapore’s 32 parishes, and there was a rustle of arms flying up as all rehearsed the Kallang wave.
“It’s blessed weather today, a bit hot but not too much” said Ms Genevieve Chan, 52. “I remember the heavy rain in 1986, this is good.”
The manager had been a girl at the last papal mass. This time, her left foot was in a ski boot.
“I cancelled my Eastern European trip, but I told my doctor I definitely have to attend the papal mass,” she said of her injury.
The reserved seating area for some 300 migrant workers was a hubbub of activity as many posed for pictures in their traditional costumes. One of them, a Catholic domestic helper from Myanmar had stuck “I love Pope” stickers on her face.
“I’m so happy and excited. It’s my first time seeing the Pope,” said the 28-year-old, who wanted only to be known as Elizabeth.
“Today I want to pray for Myanmar, that the war will end and for world peace.”
Other attendees told ST that queues to enter the stadium moved quickly despite the stringent security measures.
Andrew Tang, a 54-year-old oil broker, came with his two children and two brothers. He arrived at around 1.30pm and took about 40 minutes to clear security before entering the stadium.
Everyone was very co-operative and patient, he said, calling it a “smooth process”.
He added that attending the papal mass is a once in a lifetime event for him. “If I miss this, I don’t know when will I get the chance again. Probably in my next life.”
His sentiments were echoed by Claire Ong, a 56-year-old tutor. “As a Catholic, you don’t get to see the Pope every day,” she said. “And in his old age, he still come all the way here to see us.”
One member of the audience stood out in a feather cap and green tail coat. Sir Dr Peter Low, the only papal knight commander with star in Singapore, had arrived 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,” he said.
The 76-year-old who has a doctorate in sacred music conducted the 1,800-strong choir at the last papal mass in 1986. Though he will not lift his baton this time, he said he was glad to see the fruits of his labour.
People queueing to enter the National Stadium ahead of the papal mass on Sept 12. - ST
“What you will hear sung today was largely used in the last mass. All the chairs and co-chairs of the music committee were tutored by me for close to 20 years.”
For now, he is grateful to “renew his connection with Pope Francis”, the third Pope he has met in his lifetime, he said.
The Pope’s message
In his homily, delivered in Italian with English subtitles shown on screens flanking the stage, Pope Francis commended the Catholic Church in Singapore, which he said is vibrant, growing and engaged in constructive dialogue with other religions.
He also spoke about the beauty of Singapore and its great and bold architecture, especially the National Stadium which contributed to making Singapore “famous and fascinating”.
“At the origins of these imposing buildings, as with any other undertaking that leaves a positive mark on our world, while people may think that they are primarily about money, techniques or even engineering ability, which are certainly useful, what we really find is love...precisely the love that builds up,” he said.
Without love, there is “no life, no impetus, no reason to act, no strength to build”, he added. “If there is anything good that exists and endures in this world, it is only because, in innumerable situations, love has prevailed over hate, solidarity over indifference, generosity over selfishness.”
He said there are many stories of love behind each of the works in Singapore: of men and women united with one another in a community, of citizens dedicated to their country, of mothers and fathers concerned for their families, of professionals and workers of all kinds sincerely engaged in their various roles and tasks.
“Sometimes the greatness and grandeur of our projects can make us forget this, and fool us into thinking that we can be the sole authors of our lives, of our wealth, our wellbeing, our happiness. Yet, ultimately, life brings us back to one reality: without love we are nothing,” he said.
Quoting the late John Paul II when he visited Singapore in November 1986, he 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”.
“These are important words for us because, beyond the astonishment we feel in front of human works, they remind us that there is an even greater wonder to be embraced with even greater admiration and respect: namely, the brothers and sisters we meet, without discrimination, every day on our path, as we see in Singaporean society and the Church, which are ethnically diverse and yet united and in solidarity!”
Experiencing the mass outside the stadium
Outside the stadium, at least a few hundred watched the proceedings through live streams on their phones as they did not have tickets.
One of these was Realyn Nabuab, 38, who found out that the Pope was coming to Singapore two days ago. As balloting for tickets had closed, the domestic helper from the Philippines got permission from her employer, a fellow Catholic, to experience the mass from outside the stadium.
She arrived with a friend before 2pm, both armed with portable chairs, and said she was happy just to be in close proximity with the Pope.
“This will be a good experience, to hear his voice and to attend the mass from outside.”
Also joining the crowd outside the stadium was 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.
“He is a great Pope because he really relates to the young people, adolescents like me,” he said. “He addresses topics that are very relevant to our generation.”
“Even if there is a one per cent chance for me to see the Pope, I will stay here till he leaves,” he added.
Cabin crew Genevieve Kamali, 53, made plans to schedule a layover in Singapore at the same time as the papal mass.
She and her family, together with her friends, flew in specially from Fiji and arrived in Singapore at 5am on Sept 12. They cheerfully stood under the sun to listen to the muffled liturgical music coming from the stadium.
Tuning in to the livestream of the mass on his mobile phone, her friend Martin Aisea, 51, said: “Just being near the Pope is a great blessing... It is good enough for us.” - The Straits Times/ANN
