Pope Francis Commends Singapore’s Development, Emphasizes Care for Migrant Workers

SINGAPORE — Pope Francis on Thursday commended Singapore’s economic prowess as a testament to human resourcefulness, but urged the city-state to extend its care to the most vulnerable, especially foreign workers, as he began the final leg of his Asian tour, transitioning from some of the region’s poorest countries to one of the world’s wealthiest.

Singapore marked his arrival by unveiling a new hybrid orchid named after him, the “Dendrobium His Holiness Pope Francis.” Presented during an official welcome ceremony, the orchid embodies a “serene and pure beauty” with its ivory white petals and a delicate pink hue at the center, according to the National Parks Board.

Francis arrived in Singapore from East Timor and commenced his official program Thursday by meeting with President and Prime Minister before addressing government officials and the diplomatic corps at the National University of Singapore.

There, Francis was awestruck by Singapore’s modern skyscrapers “that seem to rise from the sea” and the government’s dedication to sustainable development, providing public housing and quality education and healthcare to its citizens. However, he encouraged authorities to prioritize the well-being of the most disadvantaged and to be wary of prioritizing excellence at all costs, a subtle critique of Singapore’s highly competitive work and educational culture.

“I would like to highlight the risk entailed in focusing solely on pragmatism or placing merit above all things, namely the unintended consequence of justifying the exclusion of those on the margins from benefiting from progress,” he said.

In a common plea from history’s first Latin American pope, Francis particularly advocated for dignified compensation and working conditions for migrant workers, who have played a crucial role in transforming Singapore into one of the world’s most advanced financial hubs.

“These workers contribute a great deal to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage,” Francis said.

Singapore currently lacks a minimum wage policy for both locals and foreigners.

Singapore served as the final stop on Francis’ 11-day tour, the longest and most far-reaching of his papacy, following previous visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor. The economic disparities were starkly evident upon arrival Wednesday as Francis landed in Singapore’s high-tech airport aboard the lone aircraft belonging to Aero Dili, the national carrier of East Timor, where around 42% of its people live below the poverty line.

Singapore has long championed its transformation from a colonial port devoid of natural resources into a financial and trade powerhouse in just a few decades since gaining independence from Malaysia in 1965. The former British colony boasts one of the highest living standards globally, renowned for its safety and low crime rate. However, it is also one of the most expensive cities to live in, and its competitive work environment creates a stressful and overworked population.

Francis’ praise for the country’s remarkable economic growth was notable, considering his well-known criticism of the excesses of capitalism. According to the International Monetary Fund, Singapore’s gross domestic product per capita of $133,740 ranked fourth highest in the world, surpassing the U.S. and other developed nations.

Foreigners comprise over a third of Singapore’s workforce. Official data reveals that the foreign workforce of 1.5 million includes 286,000 domestic workers and 441,000 individuals employed in construction, shipping and maintenance roles, supporting Singapore’s trade-dependent economy. Many of these workers are migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and other less affluent Asian nations.

Human Rights Watch reported in a last year that foreign migrant workers confront labor rights abuses and exploitation through exorbitant debts owed to recruitment agents, non-payment of wages, restrictions on movement, passport confiscation, and occasionally physical and sexual violence. The organization pointed out that domestic workers are excluded from many essential labor protections, such as limitations on daily work hours, sick leave and annual leave.

Francis is visiting Singapore to encourage its Catholic community, comprising about 3.5% of the population of just under 6 million, while highlighting Singapore’s tradition of interfaith coexistence. According to a 2020 census, Buddhists constitute around 31% of the population, Christians 19% and Muslims 15%, while approximately one-fifth of the population profess no religious affiliation.

In his remarks to the pope, President Shanmugaratnam emphasized Singapore’s commitment to environmental sustainability and interfaith harmony, stating that both have been the product of persistent effort and dedication over decades.

“We are a multiracial, multireligious, and multicultural society,” he said. “For us, solidarity and harmony have therefore been at the core, and will remain core features in our national development.”

He commended Francis’ consistent calls to care for God’s creation, noting that Singapore too has prioritized sustainability since independence nearly six decades ago. Singapore’s greening plan through 2030 envisions greater reliance on solar energy, waste reduction and the implementation of carbon taxes to transition to a low-carbon economy.

“As a small city-state, we have sought to balance development with environmental responsibility,” he said.

Francis commended Singapore’s environmental policies as a model for the rest of the world, calling it “a shining example of what humanity can achieve by working together in harmony, with a sense of responsibility and a spirit of inclusiveness and fraternity.”

Francis celebrates Mass later Thursday in Singapore’s national stadium and will preside over an interfaith youth event Friday morning before returning to Rome.

Dozens of individuals came out to greet him Thursday morning as he arrived at Parliament House for the official welcome ceremony, cheering as his motorcade passed by.

“We just wanted to make sure that we caught his attention, and that we really communicated our love and warm welcome to him here in Singapore,” said Lissy Puno, who created posters and bracelets to commemorate the visit.

—AP writer Eileen Ng contributed from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.