Pope Francis in Singapore

Selfie with the Popel before Mass - Screenshot

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Francis arrived in Singapore on Wednesday afternoon, for the fourth and final leg of his 12-day Apostolic Journey in Asia and Oceania - the longest of his pontificate so far - which has taken him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor.

The Holy Father's first full day in Singapore began with private meetings with the President and Prime Minister. During those meetings he was presented with a beautiful new variety of orchid, named: 'Dendrobium His Holiness Pope Francis'.

In this city where hundreds of varieties of orchids hang from trees and adorn every room, this lovely white hybrid orchid was chosen as it "exudes a serene and pure beauty" of ivory white petals with a pink tinge at the centre.

After receiving such a beautiful tribute, the Pope travelled to the city's sprawling university complex where he addressed the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps.

Here he praised Singapore's economic prowess as a witness to human capacity but he appealed to the city-state not to neglect the weakest, especially foreign workers. He also used his platform to tell rich nations to act to promote the common good throughout the world.

In the afternoon, Pope Francis joined some 50,000 waiting for him at the city Stadium to celebrate Mass. Most were Catholics but there were many men and women of goodwill of other faiths and denominations to share the moment and express gratitude for his presence in their city. An ecumenical delegation led by the Archbishop of Singapore, the Most Reverend Dr Titus Chung the Anglican Bishop of Singapore.

Concelebrating with Pope Francis, were Cardinal Chow of Hong Kong and Cardinal Bo of Yangon as well as bishops from Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Taiwan, Macao and Hong Kong.

The Pope reminded his flock that "love is characterized by a deep respect for all people, regardless of their race, belief or whatever makes them different from ourselves"

These he said, "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!"

Pope Francis went on to say that God's love invites us to share with others, to respond generously to the needs of the poor, to encourage those who suffer, and to be always ready to forgive and to hope.

Love, he said, again quoting St John Paul, 'is the very centre of the Gospel!'

The Holy Father concluded his homily by pointing to the example of two saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis Xavier, who exemplify that love.

On today's feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, "we see the Father's love manifested in one of the most beautiful and fulsome of ways", that is, in the tenderness of a mother who never abandons us.

And in St Francis Xavier, who in his missionary journeys was often welcomed in Singapore, we see a saint who recognized the primacy of charity over learning.

Pope Francis invited the faithful to follow their example, and to take up the words of St Francis Xavier, "Lord, here I am; what do you want me to do?", so that "they may accompany us not only in these days, but always, as a constant commitment to listening and responding readily to the invitations to love and live justly that continue to come to us today from the infinite love of God".

Watch today's Mass on the Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSfPP24ZAbc