Singapore. Pope Francis commended Singapore's remarkable economic achievements as a testament to human ingenuity but urged the city-state to remember its most vulnerable residents, particularly foreign workers. His visit on Thursday marked the final leg of his tour through some of Asia’s less affluent nations, arriving in one of the world's wealthiest.

Singapore celebrated the Pope’s arrival with the unveiling of a new hybrid orchid named in his honor, the "Dendrobium His Holiness Pope Francis." The orchid, presented during an official welcome ceremony, features ivory white petals with a pink center, symbolizing "serene and pure beauty," according to the National Parks Board.

Pope Francis arrived from East Timor and began his official activities by meeting with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He addressed government officials and diplomats at the National University of Singapore, where he expressed admiration for the city’s modern skyscrapers and its commitment to sustainable development, public housing, and quality education and healthcare. However, he cautioned against prioritizing merit and pragmatism at the expense of the less fortunate.

"I would like to highlight the risk of focusing solely on pragmatism or placing merit above all else," Francis said. "This can lead to the unintended consequence of excluding those on the margins from benefiting from progress."

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The Pope specifically called for fair wages and dignified conditions for migrant workers, who have significantly contributed to Singapore’s development. "These workers contribute greatly to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage," he stated.

Currently, Singapore has no minimum wage policy for either locals or foreigners.

This visit marks the end of Francis' 11-day tour, which has been the longest and farthest of his papacy, including stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor. The economic contrasts were apparent upon his arrival in Singapore's high-tech airport, particularly when juxtaposed with the conditions in East Timor, where nearly 42 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.

Singapore’s rapid transformation from a colonial port with limited natural resources into a global financial powerhouse since its independence from Malaysia in 1965 is often cited as a success story. Despite its high standard of living and low crime rate, the city is one of the most expensive places to live and has a highly competitive work environment that can lead to stress and overwork.

Pope Francis' praise of Singapore’s economic growth is notable given his critical stance on the excesses of capitalism. According to the International Monetary Fund, Singapore’s GDP per capita of $133,740 is the fourth highest globally, surpassing that of the US and other developed nations.

Foreign workers, who make up over a third of Singapore's workforce, are crucial to its economy. Official data reveals that 1.5 million foreign workers include 286,000 domestic workers and 441,000 in construction, shipping, and maintenance roles. Many come from poorer Asian countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.

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Human Rights Watch reported last year that foreign migrant workers face severe labor rights abuses, including exorbitant debts to recruitment agents, non-payment of wages, movement restrictions, passport confiscation, and sometimes violence. Domestic workers are notably excluded from many labor protections.

Pope Francis' visit aims to encourage Singapore's Catholic community, which constitutes about 3.5 percent of the population, while also highlighting the country's tradition of interfaith coexistence. According to the 2020 census, Buddhists make up about 31 percent of the population, Christians 19 percent, Muslims 15 percent, and about 20 percent identify as non-religious.

President Shanmugaratnam emphasized Singapore’s commitment to environmental sustainability and interfaith harmony as outcomes of decades of hard work. He praised Francis for his consistent advocacy for the care of God's creation and noted that Singapore has prioritized sustainability since its independence.

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"As a small city-state, we have sought to balance development with environmental responsibility," Shanmugaratnam said.

Pope Francis acknowledged Singapore’s environmental policies as a model for global efforts, calling it "a shining example of what humanity can achieve by working together with a sense of responsibility and spirit of inclusiveness."

Later on Thursday, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass at Singapore’s national stadium and lead an interfaith youth event before returning to Rome. Dozens of well-wishers gathered to greet him as he arrived at Parliament House for the official welcome ceremony, expressing their warmth and enthusiasm through posters and bracelets.

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