On September 12, 2024, Pope Francis delivered a powerful address to national authorities and the diplomatic corps in Singapore, marking a significant moment in his visit to the city-state.
Francis emphasised Singapore's unique role in the global arena, urging the nation to leverage its position to mediate and contribute to resolving international conflicts.
"Let us not forget this," he impromptu added, highlighting the pressing need for peace amid ongoing global strife.
In his speech, the 87-year-old pontiff praised Singapore's commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order.
Pope Francis (right) speaks at the University Cultural Centre in Singapore, accompanied by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (left), on September 12, 2024.
He encouraged Singapore to persist in its efforts toward unity and fraternity among nations, advocating for the common good over narrow national interests.
Francis said,
"I encourage you to continue to work in favour of the unity and fraternity of humanity and the common good of all peoples and all nations."
This emphasis on global solidarity reflects Francis’s broader vision of an interconnected world where nations collaboratively address shared challenges.
Although Francis did not specify conflicts, his remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Observers speculate that Pope Francis views Singapore as a potential mediator due to its strong relations with China—a nation that has maintained a neutral stance on the conflict.
Francis has previously engaged with Chinese authorities on peace efforts, including sending Cardinal Matteo Zuppi to Beijing to discuss possible pathways to peace.
Given Singapore's diplomatic standing, there is a belief that it could play a pivotal role in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation.
Pope Francis also highlighted Singapore’s environmental initiatives, noting the city-state’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation.
He praised Singapore's efforts to address environmental challenges,
"Your commitment to sustainable development and the preservation of creation is an example to follow."
This acknowledgment underscores the importance of environmental responsibility and innovation in driving global progress.
In discussing Singapore's journey from its struggle for independence to becoming a prosperous nation, Pope Francis lauded its economic achievements and social policies.
He praised Singapore’s advancements, noting that its success is the result of "rational decisions and not by chance."
Francis emphasised that the city-state's progress should not be solely measured by economic gains but also by its efforts to promote social justice and support vulnerable groups, including the poor, elderly, and migrant workers.
He warned against prioritising pragmatism over inclusivity, stressing the need to ensure that progress benefits all segments of society.
The pope commended Singapore's ability to foster social harmony despite its cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity.
He attributed this to the impartiality of public authorities and their commitment to dialogue with all community members. Francis highlighted the importance of mutual respect, cooperation, and dialogue as foundational elements for maintaining stability and avoiding extremism and intolerance.
This appeal resonates with his broader message of promoting interfaith and intercultural understanding, echoing his earlier calls for moderation and dialogue during his visit to Jakarta.
Referencing the Church's historical role in promoting interreligious dialogue, Pope Francis pointed to the Second Vatican Council’s declaration, Nostra Aetate, as a cornerstone of the Church's efforts in fostering cooperation among diverse faith communities.
He reiterated the need for openness and mutual respect as essential for building a just and peaceful society.
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of family unity, urging that the values transmitted within families be supported and protected amidst changing social conditions.
Addressing the rapid development of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), Pope Francis urged that such advancements should not lead to diminished human interaction.
He cautioned that,
"These technologies should be used to bring us closer together by promoting understanding and solidarity, and never to isolate ourselves in a dangerously false and intangible reality."
This statement reflects a concern for maintaining genuine human relationships amid technological growth.
This is not the first time Pope Francis has taken a significant stance on AI, emphasising the need for ethical oversight to ensure that AI advancements serve the common good rather than exacerbate inequalities.
With a background in science and technology, Francis advocates for AI to be harnessed in ways that promote social justice and global well-being.
In his address at the G7 summit in July, Pope Francis highlighted the profound impact of AI, framing it as a “cognitive-industrial revolution” with both significant benefits and potential risks.
He noted AI’s capacity to democratise knowledge, advance scientific research, and reduce labour demands, yet also warned of its potential to exacerbate global inequalities and deepen societal divisions.
Emphasising the “techno-human condition,” the Pope argued that while AI serves as a tool, it is crucial for humans to retain ultimate decision-making authority, particularly in sensitive areas such as lethal autonomous weapons.
The Pope further critiqued the notion that AI algorithms are objective, pointing out that they often fail to capture the full complexity of human behaviour and can reinforce existing biases.
He expressed concern over AI’s impact on education, suggesting that reliance on AI-generated content could undermine genuine learning and reflection.
Concluding with a call for “algor-ethics,” the Pope urged for the creation of global principles that can guide the ethical development and use of AI, emphasising the need for political action to harness AI’s potential responsibly while fostering human creativity and progress.
Pope Francis is currently in Singapore from September 11-13, 2024. His visit to the city-state marks the final leg of his 11-day tour across four countries in Asia and Oceania, concluding with his return to Rome on September 13.
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