Pope marvels at Singapore's skyscrapers and asks that the lowest migrant workers not be forgotten
Pope Francis has praised Singapore’s economic development as a testament to human ingenuity
SINGAPORE (AP) — Pope Francis on Thursday praised Singapore’s economic strength as a testament to human ingenuity but urged the city-state to look after the weakest, too, especially foreign workers, as he opened the final leg of his tour through some of Asia’s poorest countries in one of the world’s richest.
Francis marveled at Singapore's modern skyscrapers “that seem to rise from the sea” in both his opening speech to the city-state's leaders and again in the afternoon, when he celebrated Mass before an estimated 50,000 people at Singapore's national stadium.
“The most beautiful building, the most precious treasure, the most profitable investment in God’s eyes, is ourselves,” he said.
Singapore celebrated Francis' arrival by unveiling a new hybrid orchid named for him, the "Dendrobium His Holiness Pope Francis." Presented during an official welcome ceremony, the orchid “exudes a serene and pure beauty” of ivory white petals with a pink tinge at the center, according to the National Parks Board.
