SINGAPORE — On Thursday (Sept 12), approximately 50,000 people gathered at the National Stadium for a historic papal mass, marking the first time a pope has officiated a mass in Singapore since 1986. Pope Francis arrived at 4.30pm, riding in a white buggy through the stadium, blessing children, handing out rosaries, and interacting warmly with the crowd.

Many attendees, dressed in yellow and white — the colors of the Vatican — cheered as the pontiff passed by. Some held signs of welcome and well wishes for Pope Francis, who had arrived in Singapore the previous afternoon.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, alongside his wife Loo Tze Lui, and several ministers, including Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong and Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam, were present at the mass.

Jason Lim, a sales professional, shared his joy at seeing the pope’s personal connection with the crowd. “It was a bucket list moment for me to attend a mass with a pope,” said the 50-year-old, who attended with his 17-year-old daughter Anna.

Preschool teacher Rose Francis, although not able to meet the pontiff face-to-face during his circuit of the stadium, expressed her happiness in being part of the special event. “He seemed tired, I hope he can rest,” she noted. Her husband, Francis Gregory, volunteered at the mass.

Vibrant Start to the Day
The National Stadium buzzed with excitement from as early as 11am, hours before the mass began. As people lined up, many used umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. Attendees streamed into the stadium, capturing photos in front of the altar, while the choir rehearsed hymns.

Beverly Branson, a teacher who remembered attending Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1986, spoke about the unifying spirit of the event. “The rain didn’t stop us back then, and the passion is just as strong today,” she recalled, this time attending with her husband, Renato Rainone.

The mass also held special significance for former Cabinet minister George Yeo, who reminisced about Pope John Paul II’s visit and noted Singapore’s increasing prominence in global religious matters since then, especially with the appointment of a Cardinal in 2022. “It’s a day of joy for Catholics and others, including Buddhists and Muslims, who are also embracing this visit,” Yeo remarked.

Heightened Security Measures
Security was tight, with barriers and checkpoints set up to manage the large crowds. Attendees passed through X-ray scanners, while vehicles underwent random checks. Police and ambulances were stationed around the venue to ensure safety, and sniffer dogs patrolled the area. Superintendent Clarinda Wong, head of operations for the Bedok Police Division, explained that extensive planning had gone into making sure the event ran smoothly.

A Rare Opportunity
Tickets to the mass were distributed through online balloting, with some reserved for overseas visitors. Ann-Marie Kang, an engineer, was among those eager to attend, arriving early to secure her spot. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said. Another attendee, Nicole Yeo, echoed the sentiment, sharing her excitement at seeing the pope in person for the first time.

Retiree Rita Woodman, who waited in line with four new friends she met at the MRT station, said the mass symbolized unity and hope. “This is unity in action — people coming together no matter who they are,” she said.

The event was massive in scale, with over 2,000 people involved, including a 1,600-member choir, 656 wardens, 390 Holy Communion ministers, 300 altar servers, and hundreds of medics and crowd control staff. Attendees included students, migrant workers, elderly parishioners, and wheelchair users, as well as 3,000 Catholics from other parts of Asia.

A Memorable End to the Papal Visit
The mass marked a high point in Pope Francis’ Asia-Pacific tour, which included visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. Earlier in the day, Pope Francis met President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and other dignitaries before delivering a state address at the National University of Singapore. He will conclude his Singapore visit with stops at St Theresa’s Home and an interfaith meeting with youths at Catholic Junior College on Friday.