Pope Francis commends Singapore's development, calls for 'special attention' to vulnerable

AsiaOne

In his state address, the Pope highlighted Singapore's modernity, resilience and policies, while reminding us to care for the poor, the elderly and migrant workers.  Watch more: https://www.asiaone.com/video

Transcript

00:00Singapore is a story of growth and resilience.

00:06From humble origins, this nation has reached a high level of development,

00:12demonstrating that this is the result of rational decisions, and not by chance.

00:20It is the result of a constant commitment to carry out well-weighed projects and initiatives

00:30in line with the specific characteristics of the EU.

00:36These days is the 101st anniversary of the birth of Lee Kuan Yew,

00:45the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore,

00:49who, from 1959 to 1990,

00:55kept this commitment and gave a strong boost to the rapid growth and transformation of the country.

01:06It is also important that Singapore has not only prospered economically,

01:14but that it has also made an effort to build a society

01:20in which social justice and the common good are taken into great consideration.

01:28I think in particular of your dedication to improving the living conditions of citizens

01:35through public housing policies,

01:39high-quality education and an efficient health system.

01:45I hope that these efforts will continue until they fully involve all the people of Singapore.

01:55In this regard, I would like to point out the risk

02:01that a certain pragmatism and a certain exaltation of merit

02:08may lead to the non-intentional consequence of legitimizing the exclusion of those

02:16who are at the margins of the benefits of progress.

02:21On this front, I acknowledge and praise the various policies and initiatives

02:26put in place to support the weakest,

02:29and I hope that particular attention will be paid to the poor, to the elderly,

02:36whose efforts have laid the foundations for the Singapore we know today,

02:42and also to protect the dignity of migrant workers,

02:48who contribute greatly to the construction of the society

02:52and to which an equal wage must be guaranteed.

02:58The sophisticated technologies of the digital age

03:03and the rapid developments in the use of artificial intelligence

03:08cannot make us forget that it is essential to cultivate real human relations,

03:16concrete human relations,

03:19and that these technologies can be used precisely to bring people closer to each other,

03:27promoting understanding and solidarity,

03:31and not to isolate ourselves dangerously in a fictitious or impenetrable reality.

03:40Singapore is a mosaic of ethnicities,

03:48a mosaic of cultures and religions that coexist in harmony.

03:55Harmony is a very important word.

04:00The achievement and preservation of this positive inclusiveness

04:06are favoured by the impartiality of the public authorities

04:10engaged in constructive dialogue with everyone,

04:15making it possible for everyone to make their own contribution to the common good,

04:22without allowing extremism or intolerance to acquire strength

04:28and put social peace at risk.

04:31Reciprocal respect, collaboration, dialogue,

04:35and the freedom to profess one's own belief in loyalty to the common law

04:41are determining conditions for the success and stability obtained by Singapore,

04:49requiring a non-conflictual and chaotic development,

04:57but a balanced and sustainable development.

05:03The Catholic Church in Singapore, since its inception,

05:09has tried to offer its own peculiar contribution to the path of this nation,

05:16especially in the areas of education and health,

05:21using the spirit of sacrifice and dedication of the missionaries and the faithful.

05:29Always animated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

05:33the Catholic community is also at the forefront in the works of charity,

05:39contributing significantly to humanitarian efforts

05:44and managing, for this purpose, various health institutions

05:49and many humanitarian organisations, including the Charity, which we all know.

05:56In addition, the Church, according to the Declaration of Our Age

06:03of the Vatican II Council on Relations with Non-Christian Religions,

06:12has constantly promoted inter-religious dialogue

06:18and collaboration between different communities of faith,

06:23with a spirit of openness and reciprocal respect,

06:29fundamental for the construction of a society that is just and peaceful.

06:39This visit of mine dates back 43 years,

06:45since the diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Singapore were established.

06:53The Church proposes to confirm in the faith the Catholics

06:58and to exhort them to continue with joy and dedication

07:02the collaboration with all men and women of good will

07:08for the construction of a civil, healthy and cohesive society

07:14for the common good and for a crystalline testimony of their faith.

07:22Singapore also has a specific role to play in the international order.

07:29Let us not forget this.

07:35This international order is threatened today by bloody conflicts and wars,

07:44and I am glad that it has meritoriously promoted multilateralism

07:51and an order based on the rules shared by all.

07:56I encourage you to continue to work for the unity and fraternity of the human race

08:05for the benefit of the common good of all, of all peoples and of all nations,

08:12with an understanding that is not exclusive nor restricted to national interests.

08:22Let me also remind you of the role of the family,

08:29the first wolf in which one learns to relate to others, to be loved and to love.

08:39In today's social conditions, the foundations on which families are based are questioned

08:48and risk becoming weakened.

08:52They must be placed in the condition of transmitting the values that give meaning and shape to life

09:02and to teach young people to form solid, healthy relationships with each other.

09:10Therefore, efforts must be made to promote, protect and support family unity

09:20through the work of various institutions.

09:24We cannot hide the fact that today we live in an environmental crisis

09:36and we must not underestimate the impact that a small nation like Singapore can have on it.

09:48Your unique position offers you access to capital, technologies, talents and resources

09:57that can drive innovation to ensure the health of our common home.

10:07Your commitment to sustainable development and the safeguarding of the Creator

10:16is an example to follow.

10:19And the search for innovative solutions to face the environmental challenges

10:25can encourage other countries to do the same.

10:31Singapore is a brilliant example of what humanity can achieve

10:38by working together in harmony, with a sense of responsibility

10:45and with a spirit of inclusiveness and fraternity.

10:52This is a summary of your attitude.

11:00Working together in harmony, with a sense of responsibility

11:07and with a spirit of fraternity and inclusiveness.

11:12I encourage you to continue on this path,

11:16trusting in God's promise and in his paternal love for all.

11:23Mr President,

11:25Ladies and Gentlemen,

11:27God helps you to meet the needs and expectations of your people

11:34and encourages you to experience that with those who remain humble and grateful

11:40he can accomplish great things for the good of all.

11:45God bless Singapore.

11:57For more UN videos visit www.un.org

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended