‘Pope Francis always walked with the poor and those who were suffering’: Cardinal William Goh (2025)

SINGAPORE – A memorial mass for Pope Francis was held on April 22 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Queen Street.

The 1.15pm mass was celebrated by Cardinal William Goh, who is also Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Singapore. The cathedral, which can seat up to 900 people, was packed, with dozens of worshippers standing outside.

Some parishioners had changed their plans to attend the mass.

Dignitaries from Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil also attended. Representatives from the Inter-Religious Organisation, which represents 10 faiths in Singapore, were present.

Pope Francis, 88, died on April 21 at his Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. He died of a stroke, resulting in a coma and irreversible heart failure. His death certificate revealed that he had Type 2 diabetes, which was not previously known.

He was in office for 12 years.

During his homily, Cardinal Goh praised Pope Francis for being a man who reached out to people of all faiths.

He said: “Pope Francis never stopped speaking on behalf of the poor, the voiceless and oppressed.

“He was truly a pastor for the world. A pastor with heart, with compassion and with great empathy. That is why, my dear brothers and sisters, there are so many of you here today.”

After the mass, Cardinal Goh, who is Singapore’s first cardinal, told the media the Church was grateful for what Pope Francis did for humanity.

Said Cardinal Goh: “He was always walking with the poor and those who were suffering. He could understand the aspirations and the suffering that people were going through. He brought the love of God to all, regardless of who they were and what religion they belonged to.”

Cardinal Goh will travel to Rome on April 22 to attend the papal funeral in Rome, after which, he will join other cardinals in a conclave to choose the next pope.

Mr Andre Ahchak, a spokesman for the archdiocese, said the Catholic Church will observe a nine-day mourning period.

He said the public can leave messages of condolences and share their reflections of Pope Francis’ life and ministry on the CatholicSG website. They can also pen their thoughts in a condolence book at the cathedral.

‘Pope Francis always walked with the poor and those who were suffering’: Cardinal William Goh (1)

Mr Ahchak said parishes will organise their own memorial events and prayer vigils. Catholic schools may lower their flags to half-mast.

Property agent Helena Choo, 53, attended the mass with friends.

She said: “He touched the whole world. He touched so many lives with the love of God. We’re celebrating his life.

“He inspires us to be peacemakers to reshape this world for the greater good of present and future generations.”

British couple Sean and Jackie Collins, both 75, have been on holiday in Singapore for the past week. They had cancelled plans to visit other places to attend the mass.

Unable to get a seat, they watched the live stream from outside the cathedral with other worshippers. Said Mrs Collins: “He (the Pope) was a breath of fresh air. He was a break from traditional conservatism, was humble and related to the poor.”

Pope Francis visited Singapore from Sept 11 to Sept 13, 2024, as part of his four-nation tour of Asia. He held a papal mass on Sept 12 at the National Stadium, with more than 50,000 people attending.

He also visited St Theresa’s Home and Catholic Junior College, where he participated in an inter-religious dialogue with the youth.

Ms Angela Lim, 37, attended the memorial mass with her husband, their two sons and daughter.

Her 11-year-old son had been part of the papal mass choir during the pontiff’s visit to Singapore, and was an altar boy at the memorial mass.

Ms Lim, a choir director for the cathedral’s children’s choir, said: “Pope Francis was truly a shepherd for the people. Through his actions, he inspired us to set aside our pride and earthly desires to be with the poor and less fortunate, and bring Jesus to them.”