‘All religions are paths to God’: Pope Francis’ Singapore visit spurs interfaith debate

The pope’s emphasis on unity extended to marginalised communities – including migrant workers – sparking dialogue on inclusiveness

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Pope Francis attends an interreligious meeting with young people at Singapore’s Catholic Junior College on Friday. Photo: dpa

Published: 9:00am, 17 Sep 2024Updated: 9:01am, 17 Sep 2024

Pope Francis’ recent visit to Singapore has resonated deeply with the city state’s long-standing goal of fostering more dialogue between people of different faiths, observers told This Week in Asia.

The pope’s presence has invigorated hopes among interfaith advocates for more profound conversations on sensitive topics among Singaporeans regardless of their beliefs.

Rounding off his 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific, the 87-year-old head of the Catholic Church spent three days in Singapore, where he presided over a mass attended by 50,000 at the National Stadium and delivered a state address.

Singapore prides itself on its religious harmony, with a 2020 survey revealing that 31.1 per cent of residents aged 15 and above identified as Buddhists, 18.9 per cent as Christians, 15.6 per cent as Muslims, and 5 per cent as Hindus, alongside 20 per cent who reported no religious affiliation.

Notably, only about 395,000 people, or less than 10 per cent of the population, are Catholics, according to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore.

On his final day in Singapore, Pope Francis held an interreligious dialogue on Friday with young people at Catholic Junior College, urging them to embrace open discussions about faith.