SINGAPORE, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Pope Francis has arrived in Singapore for a three-day state visit to conclude his Apostolic Journey to the Asia Pacific region, which includes Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.
The aircraft carrying the 87-year-old pontiff and his delegation from Dili, Timor Leste arrived at Changi Airport VIP Complex at about 2.50 pm.
The Pope, on his first visit to the island republic, was greeted by Singapore's Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong and Singapore’s non-resident ambassador to the Vatican Janet Ang.
Also present were representatives from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, led by Archbishop William Goh.
The Pope, riding a buggy along Changi Jurrasic Mile outside the Complex, was greeted by about 1,000 members of the Catholic community chanting "Viva! Viva Papa Francisco!"
This is the first visit by a pope to Singapore in 38 years, after Pope St John Paul II made a five-hour stop to the country on November 20, 1986.
According to the Vatican website, Pope Francis will kick-start his visit with a private meeting with members of the Society of Jesus at Saint Francis Xavier Retreat Centre in the evening.
The Pope will have a packed schedule on Thursday, beginning with a ceremonial welcome at the Parliament House, followed by courtesy call on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and a meeting with Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.
He will then meet with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps at the National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre.
The highlight of the visit will be a Papal Mass at the National Stadium where 50,000 people are expected to attend the event on Thursday evening – which will also be streamed live at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore's YouTube channel.
On Friday, he will visit a group of elderly and sick people at Saint Theresa's Home, followed by interreligious meeting with youths at Catholic Junior College.
Pope Francis is scheduled to depart Singapore at 11.50 am on Friday.
-- BERNAMA
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