President Tharman, PM Wong & ministers pay tribute to late Pope Francis

Singapore leaders paid tribute to the late Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, Apr. 21, 2025.

The Argentinian pontiff passed away at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta after a prolonged battle with respiratory illnesses.

The news of his passing came as a shock to many Roman Catholics worldwide, as he had just made an appearance at Easter Sunday mass in Vatican City and held a brief meeting with the United States vice-president JD Vance.

Pope Francis became the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church 12 years ago in March 2013.

In a statement on the pope's passing, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore said Pope Francis was "a model of mercy and compassion".

"He was a champion of unity and hope, not just for Catholics, but for the world, especially the weak, the marginalised, and the poor," read the notice.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam

In a Facebook post on Apr. 21, President Tharman shared that he learnt of the passing of Pope Francis "with great sorrow".

President Tharman also recalled his meetings with the pope, including one time during the pope's Papal Visit to Singapore in September 2024.

"Through his visit, including his State Address and dialogue with youth, Pope Francis encouraged us with his call for inter-faith harmony, unity, and inclusivity of migrant worker community," he wrote.

According to President Tharman, the pope's passing is a loss for both the Catholic community and the world:

"My deepest condolences to the Catholic community, which has lost a remarkable shepherd.

The world too has lost a voice for the poor and those in dire straits. A voice for peace in a world of wars.

A voice for action to address climate change and avoid its devastating effects on people.

Above all, a voice of hope and unity."

PM Lawrence Wong

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wrote in a Facebook post that he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the passing of Pope Francis.

PM Wong also made reference to the pope's visit to Singapore last year, calling it "a historic occasion".

According to him, besides bringing "an uplifting message of compassion and inclusivity that resonated with many Singaporeans", Pope Francis also left behind "a lasting and strong legacy that will be remembered for years to come".

"[Pope Francis'] leadership and compassion have touched countless lives, inspired hope, and strengthened efforts to build harmony across all faiths and bring people together," said PM Wong.

Edwin Tong

Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Edwin Tong penned a heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis in a Facebook post.

In his tribute, Tong, who is a Catholic, said he was "overwhelmed with a deep sadness, followed by a hollow void, and was quite unable to make sense of the news for a while" upon learning about the pope's passing.

The minister also recalled two instances when he interacted with the pope "at close quarters", which included the time when he served as the pope's Minister in Attendance for the Papal Visit to Singapore last year.

Tong shared that the pope had joked with him during quiet moments and made him "feel at ease" in the latter's presence.

He also recounted the words of encouragement Pope Francis offered to young people during an interfaith dialogue at Catholic Junior College: "A young person who is afraid and doesn't take risks is an old person".

"The world has lost a true beacon of hope, kindness, compassion, and unity," wrote Tong.

Vivian Balakrishnan

In an Apr. 21 Facebook post, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan offered his deepest condolences for Pope Francis' passing.

He added that Pope Francis' visit to Singapore in 2024 made the news of his passing even harder to bear.

"'A shining sign of hope' has departed but left indelible memories for everyone who has met him or listened to him over the years," wrote Vivian.

Christopher de Souza

Christopher de Souza, four-term Member of Parliament (MP) for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, shared in a Facebook post that when he heard about Pope Francis' passing, he "instinctively" drove to St Ignatius Church to pray.

Calling the pope "a saint", de Souza, a Catholic, said he was "deeply moved" during Pope Francis' Mass in Singapore in 2024.

"[Pope Francis] was not at all afraid to voice a view if he thought it [was] right. He was courageous and passionate — yet always so humble. He was human and shared his frailty," wrote the MP.

Alex Yam

In a Facebook post, Alex Yam, three-term MP of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, said his heart "is heavy with sorrow" at the passing of the pope and that "it is difficult to imagine a world without Pope Francis".

To Yam personally, the pope was "a friend to [his] family", as Yam, a Catholic, had brought his children to meet Pope Francis previously.

Recounting the meeting, Yam wrote:

"[Pope Francis] had a special place in his heart for children, and I will always cherish the way he was with ours.

He had a gentleness, a way of making them feel seen and loved.

And children — who see with purer eyes than we do — always responded to him.

When they met, there was no formality, no distance, only joy, only love."

Seah Kian Peng

In a Facebook post, four-term MP of Marine Parade GRC Seah Kian Peng offered his deepest condolences to all Catholics on the passing of Pope Francis.

"The world will certainly miss him and the good and immense impact that he was making throughout the world," wrote Seah.

Top images via Alex Yam & Vatican News/Facebook