Singapore's Catholic Church rejoices at election of Pope Leo XIV
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also wrote to the new pope to congratulate him.
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV waves from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Photo: Reuters/Stoyan Nenov)
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SINGAPORE: The Catholic Church in Singapore on Friday (May 9) celebrated the election of Pope Leo XIV, who succeeds Pope Francis.
Robert Francis Prevost is the first pope from the US. He was elected on Thursday after cardinals chose him to lead the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide.
"The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore gives thanks to almighty God for blessing us with a new Vicar of Christ," the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore said in a statement on Friday.
It added: "We rejoice at the election of Pope Leo XIV as the successor of Saint Peter and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church.
"The Roman Catholic Archdiocese unites with the universal church in praying for the Holy Father as he begins his Apostolic ministry."
Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also wrote to the new pope on Friday to congratulate him on his election.
"Singapore values the contributions of the Catholic Church to our national development. Since our early days, the Church has played a role in the provision of education, healthcare, and social services," wrote Mr Tharman.
He added that such efforts helped promote a culture of compassion and inclusiveness that has benefited people of all backgrounds in Singapore.
"As a multi-racial and multi-religious country, we value the Church’s message of inclusion and its role in fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding. We also welcome the growing relationship between Singapore and the Holy See."
In his letter, Mr Wong said that Singapore and the Holy See have longstanding and warm relations built on a shared interest in promoting peace and interfaith understanding.
He noted that relations have strengthened over the years, including through the late Pope Francis' state visit to the country last September.
"The Catholic Church has done good work in Singapore to serve the underprivileged, to help foster a spirit of inclusiveness, and to encourage interreligious dialogue," Mr Wong said.
Both Singapore leaders also wished Pope Leo XIV good health and success.
Aged 69, Prevost has spent most of his career as a missionary in Peru. He served as a bishop in Chiclayo in northwest Peru from 2015 to 2023, and became a Peruvian citizen in 2015, so he has dual nationality.
In 2023, he became a cardinal.
Pope Leo is a member of the global Augustinian religious order, which operates in 50 countries and has a focus on a life of community and equality among its members.
The papal inauguration usually takes place less than a week after the election, with a mass celebrated before political and religious leaders from around the world.
Ahead of that, Pope Leo will lead a mass on Friday for cardinals in the Sistine Chapel and recite the Regina Caeli prayer in St Peter's Square on Sunday.
