Pope Francis landed this Wednesday, September 11, in Singapore, the last country he will visit as part of his long 11-day trip through Asia and Oceania.
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore: these have been the destinations that the Holy Father has traveled since last September 2, which has become the longest apostolic journey of his pontificate.
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After 3:00 p.m. (local time), somewhat later than expected, the Pontiff landed at the “Changi” airport in this country located in the heart of Southeast Asia.
Before getting off the plane, he was greeted by the country’s Apostolic Nuncio, Mons. Marek Zalewski, and later he was received by the authorities in a reserved area of the airport where he arrived by elevator.
Four children gave her a short traditional dance and also gave her a bouquet of flowers. The Pontiff asked one by one what his name was and laughed when one of them answered that his name was also “Francis.”
After greeting the clergy and the country’s authorities, Pope Francis got into the popemobile to greet the people who were waiting for them at the airport exit with flags of Singapore and the Vatican.
Later he traveled to the Nunciature in his official car and it is planned that after resting for a few hours, at 6:15 p.m. (local time) he will meet privately with the members of the Society of Jesus at the San Francisco Javier retreat center.
Pope Francis’ program in Singapore
During his stay in Singapore, Pope Francis will meet on Thursday the 12th with the President of the Republic, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and the Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, as well as members of civil society and the diplomatic corps.
On his last day in Singapore, Friday, September 13, Francis will visit a group of elderly and sick people. He is also expected to participate in an interreligious meeting with young people.
It is scheduled to take off for Rome at 11:50 a.m. (local time) on September 13, on a flight that will last around six hours, landing at Fiumicino Airport at approximately 6:25 p.m.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
I am a graduate in Journalism and Advertising from the CEU San Pablo University in Madrid. Specialized in religious information in Spain since 2015. I have been a senior correspondent for ACI Prensa and EWTN Noticias in the Vatican for two years and I am currently a European correspondent based in Spain.