APOSTOLIC JOURNEY - Pope Francis in Singapore: excerpts from the homily during the Holy Mass at the National Stadium

Singapore (Agenzia Fides) - In Singapore, Pope Francis presided over a Holy Mass at the National Stadium "Singapore Sports Hub". Over 50,000 faithful present cheered him with songs and applause, while the Pope distributed his blessings, rosaries and caresses to the little ones from the Pope mobile. The Mass was held entirely in English, with the exception of the homily, which the Pope gave in Italian. Here are the main passages from the homily:

At the origins of imposing buildings, as with any other undertaking that leaves a positive mark on our world, while people may think that they are primarily about money, techniques or even engineering ability, which are certainly useful, what we really find is love, precisely the “love that builds up”.

While some may think this is a naive statement, by reflecting on it we see that this is not the case. Indeed, while good works may have brilliant, strong, rich and creative people behind them, there are always fragile women and men, like us, for whom without love there is no life, no impetus, no reason to act, no strength to build.

If there is anything good that exists and endures in this world, it is only because, in innumerable situations, love has prevailed over hate, solidarity over indifference, generosity over selfishness. Without this, no one here would have been able to give rise to such a great metropolis.

Nothing lasting is born or grows without love.

Sometimes the greatness and grandeur of our projects can make us forget this, and fool us into thinking that we can be the sole authors of our lives, of our wealth, our wellbeing, our happiness. Yet, ultimately, life brings us back to one reality: without love we are nothing.

At the root of our capacity to love and be loved is God himself

These are important words for us because, beyond the astonishment we feel in front of human works, they remind us that there is an even greater wonder to be embraced with even greater admiration and respect: namely, the brothers and sisters we meet, without discrimination, every day on our path.

The most beautiful building, the most precious treasure, the most profitable investment in God’s eyes, then, is ourselves, for we are beloved children of the same Father, called in turn to spread love.

We can see this in a great many of the saints. I would like to call to mind just two of them. The first is Mary. On how many lips has her Name appeared, and continues to appear in moments of joy and sorrow! This is because in her we see the Father’s love manifested in one of the most beautiful and fulsome of ways, for in her we see the tenderness of a mother, who understands and forgives everything and who never abandons us.

The second is a saint dear to this land, who found hospitality here many times during his missionary journeys. I am speaking of Saint Francis Xavier. We still have a beautiful letter that he addressed to Saint Ignatius and his first companions, in which he expresses his desire to go to all the universities of his time in order to cry out “like a madman… [to] those with more learning than charity” so that they might feel compelled to become missionaries for the love of their brothers and sisters. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 12/9/2024)

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