When Pope Francis made his first apostolic visit to Singapore in September 2024, the Catholic community shouldered much of the effort — from raising nearly $3.9 million to deploying more than 5,000 volunteers — to make the three-day event possible.
According to a report by Lilian Kong, executive director of Catholic Foundation, published by Catholic News SG on Sept. 17, 2025, the papal visit cost about $4.3 million, with $3 million in cash expenditures and $1.3 million in goods and services contributed by sponsors.
The figures excluded expenses borne by the Holy See, Catholic organizations, and the government.
Funds were raised through parish collections, direct donations, and the sale of official souvenirs. After expenses, a surplus of nearly $900,000 was redirected to support the Church’s operational and building needs.
Monsignor Stephen Yim, co-chair of the organizing committee, said the scale of the visit required a leap of faith. “We had no precedent. We didn’t know how much the event was going to cost, but we were confident that the faithful would come through—and they did.”
Souvenirs became a tangible sign of participation, Kong noted. “We introduced a thoughtfully curated range of souvenirs emblazoned with the official logo and symbols of the visit. Each purchase was an act of participation—a way for Catholics to contribute to something extraordinary,” she wrote.
“Every T-shirt worn, every fan waved, every bottle carried on a hot day became more than just keepsakes. They were symbols of unity, generosity, and faith in action — a legacy that continues to support the mission of the Church long after the papal visit ended,” she added.
The highlight of the visit was the Mass at the National Stadium, where 50,000 people gathered in what Kong described as a milestone moment in Singapore’s Church history.
