He Pope Francis This Thursday he asked to protect “the dignity of migrant workers” and “guarantee them a fair wage” before the Singapore authoritiesthe last stop on their long tour of Asia and Oceania.
“I hope that particular attention will be paid to the poor, to the elderly (…) and to safeguarding the dignity of migrant workers who contribute so much to the construction of society, and who must be guaranteed a fair salary,” said the Argentine pontiff.
The 48-hour stage in Singapore, a city-state of six million inhabitantsis the last of his long tour through Asia-Pacific, which began in Indonesia, and seeks to encourage the development of the Catholic Church in Asia.
More than 300,000 migrant workers
Singapore has more than 300,000 migrant workersmostly from Bangladesh, India or China, who contribute, in exchange for a meager salaryto the construction of their imposing skyscrapers and infrastructure. Several NGOs have denounced the treatment they receive from the authorities and have called for improvements in their living conditions. Since his election in 2013, the Argentine pope has been a fervent defender of migrants and refugees.
“I am very happy that the Pope has chosen to speak on this subject,” a Filipino domestic worker told AFP, asking to remain anonymous because she did not have permission from her employer.
“Even if my salary is not increased, I am at least happy to know that the Pope is fighting and praying for us. He really has a heart for the poor,” said the 34-year-old, who earns S$600 a month (US$460).
A figure that contrasts with the Average gross income in Singapore, S$5,190 ($3,975)according to figures from the Ministry of Manpower for 2023.
Last leg of his tour
At the end of the day, the Pope presided over a Mass at the SportsHubthe city’s national stadium, in front of some 50,000 faithfulsome coming from neighboring countries such as India, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Burma. Francis arrived at the stadium in a golf cart and then greeted and blessed the crowd, in a serene atmosphere. He also He offered rosaries to the children, signed autographs and took selfies.
papa-singapore-11.jpg
Courtesy of EFE Agency
“Francis cares more about humanity and the environment in general. I see him as a pope who brings people together,” Bena Onyaco, a Filipino who has lived in Singapore for 20 years, told AFP, wearing a yellow T-shirt with the slogan “I Love Papa Francesco.”
Genevieve Kamali, 53, from Fiji, arrived on Thursday with eight members of her family but was forced to stay outside the stadium because she did not have a ticket. “The Holy Father is just a few metres away. We are happy just to hear his voice. Faith is not seeing, but believing,” she told AFP.
On Thursday morning, the 87-year-old Pope was officially received in Parliament and They gave her an orchid in her name, the country’s emblematic flower. In his speech, Jorge Bergoglio highlighted the importance of a society based on “social justice” and the “common good” and called on leaders to “improve the living conditions of citizens” through public housing policies, with high-quality education and an efficient health system.”
Indonesian potato 1.jpg
Courtesy of EFE Agency
One of the most developed countries in Asia
Singapore, a Independent state since 1965is one of the most developed countries in Asia, thanks to their industry and technology. The majority of the population of this tropical island is China but it also has important aspects Malay, Indian and Eurasian minorities. The Christians represent around the 19% of the population, of Buddhist majority.
The pope did not mention criticism of Singapore’s respect for human rights and the harshness of its judicial system, which still carries out the death penalty.
Health of the Argentine Pope
Despite his health problems and the frenetic pace of this trip, the longest and most distant of his pontificate, the head of the Catholic Church He appeared in good form, defying predictions and doubts about his ability to endure it. This twelve-day tour will end on Friday after having covered 33,000 km in four countries (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore).
Source: Ambito
