Singapore leaders pay tribute to Pope Francis following his death at 88 (2025)

SINGAPORE - Singapore’s leaders have paid warm tributes to Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88.

The Argentine had paid a three-day visit to the Republic in September 2024, the first by a pontiff since the late Pope John Paul II’s five-hour stopover in 1986.

In a Facebook post, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam described Pope Francis as a figure of “unwavering compassion, humility, and dedication to humanity”, who inspired people in Singapore and around the world.

He noted that in Singapore’s multi-faith society, the Pope’s message of peace and understanding had resonated across communities.

President Tharman said he was “deeply honoured” to have met the Pope during a visit to Rome in June 2024, and again during his papal visit to Singapore three months later, and that he cherished those meetings.

“The world too has lost a voice for the poor and those in dire straits,” said President Tharman. “A voice for peace in a world of wars. A voice for action to address climate change and avoid its devastating effects on people. Above all, a voice of hope and unity.”

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, in a Facebook post, expressed his condolences to the Catholic community in Singapore and around the world.

He said Pope Francis’ leadership and compassion have “touched countless lives, inspired hope, and strengthened efforts to build harmony across all faiths and bring people together”.

Recalling meeting the Pope during his visit to Singapore, PM Wong said: “Pope Francis brought with him an uplifting message of compassion and inclusivity that resonated with many Singaporeans. He leaves behind a lasting and strong legacy that will be remembered for years to come.”

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in a Facebook post, said Pope Francis, throughout his papacy, “showed himself to be progressive on many social issues”.

“He engaged representatives of other religions, and pushed consistently for interreligious dialogue,” SM Lee added.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, in a Facebook post, hailed Pope Francis as “a shining beacon of hope” who had “left indelible memories for everyone who has met him or listened to him over the years”.

He added: “(I) recall his words when I first met him in December 2019 – ‘Pray for me’. Today, we all pray for him.”

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, in a Facebook post titled Farewell Papa Francesco, said: “The world has lost a true beacon of hope, kindness, compassion and unity.”

In his post, he said the news of Pope Francis’ death, after a period of critical illness which saw the Pope hospitalised for five weeks, had come as a shock. Mr Tong said he had assumed the pontiff, who had begun to resume his duties slowly, including greeting the faithful at St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday, was on the mend.

He also revealed a bit about his interactions with the Pope, revealing that the Argentine had “a wry sense of humour” and “a personable nature”.

Mr Tong noted that during Pope Francis’ visit to Singapore in 2024, “in the quiet moments, whilst waiting for things to happen, he would joke with me (sometimes the joke was on me!)”.

“He was totally disarming, and made me feel at ease in his presence, and by doing so, he showed that whilst he was the Pope, he was still also very much one of us,” he added.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on Facebook that she was “very honoured” to have met Pope Francis twice – once at his inauguration in 2013, and also when he visited Singapore.

“I could never forget how he spoke kindly, firmly, and with purpose and meaning. The aura of peace surrounding him could be felt by anyone near him,” she added in her post.