The central message of Pope Francis’ homily during the final Holy Mass of his 12-day Apostolic journey in Asia and Oceania, which concluded in Singapore, was Love.
It was a message that Stacie Tan, a Catholic mission volunteer, had been anticipating. She said it defines and summarizes the pontiff’s 45th Apostolic Journey and his entire papacy.
“The pain and the struggles that people, especially the vulnerable and marginalized, face. I can feel [Pope Francis is] walking with us. I can feel him walking with the communities that have nothing,” said Ms. Tan, who was one of the 50,000 worshippers who attended the Eucharistic celebration.
In his homily during the Mass at the National Stadium in Singapore on Sept. 12, Pope Francis urged the faithful to recognize the transformative power of love in building communities and fostering unity across cultural and religious divides.
“First, let us remember that, in the end, at the origins of these imposing buildings, as with any other undertaking that leaves a positive mark on our world, while people may think that they are primarily about money, techniques or even engineering ability, which are certainly useful, what we really find is love, precisely the “love that builds up”, he said.
The pontiff emphasized that, even behind remarkable achievements led by talented and creative individuals, it is the presence of love that truly gives life, motivation, purpose, and the strength to build, especially for ordinary, vulnerable people like us.
He said without love, “there is no life, no impetus, no reason to act, no strength to build”.
The pontiff cautioned against modern temptations of pride and individualism, stressing that “ultimately, life brings us back to one reality: without love we are nothing.”
The Pope reminded the faithful that the ability to love comes from God’s gratuitous love, revealed through Jesus Christ.
“Faith… tells us that at the root of our capacity to love and be loved is God himself, who with a Father’s heart has willed and desired to bring us into existence in an utterly gratuitous way,” Pope Francis explained.
He further highlighted that “it is in Christ that all that we are and can become have their origin and fulfilment.”
He also echoed the words of Pope St. John Paul II, who visited Singapore in 1986, emphasizing that “love is characterized by a deep respect for all people, regardless of their race, belief or whatever makes them different from ourselves.”
Pope Francis praised Singapore’s ethnically diverse society, saying it exemplifies a community that is “united and in solidarity.”
The Pope also spoke of the intrinsic value of every human being, reminding the faithful that people are “the most beautiful building, the most precious treasure” in God’s eyes.
He urged the community to love and respect one another, especially the vulnerable. Referring to the biblical message, he stated, “nothing lasting is born or grows without love.”
For Stacie, Pope Francis’ “presence and love” for the vulnerable and marginalized “is what will keep them moving forward.”
“And it’s something we in Singapore, as the Church, can and should embrace more,” she reflected.
