18-05-2025
Edwin Tong has brief audience with Pope Leo following inaugural mass
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong had a brief audience with the newly elected pontiff after the mass in the Vatican City. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Edwin Tong has brief audience with Pope Leo following inaugural mass
SINGAPORE - Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong had a brief audience with Pope Leo XIV following his inaugural mass on the morning of May 18 .
Mr Tong, who is also Second Minister for Law , met the newly elected pontiff while he was in the Vatican City as Singapore's representative at the mass, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement later that day.
It added that he congratulated Pope Leo on his election and looked forward to the further deepening of relations between Singapore and the Holy See.
Mr Tong also had a meeting with Holy See secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
In a Facebook post on May 18 , Mr Tong said Cardinal Parolin has played a central role in guiding the Vatican's diplomatic outreach with wisdom and clarity, and continues to advance the church's mission of peace and reconciliation across diverse communities.
'We exchanged views on the need for multilateralism, rule of law and constant open dialogue,' he added.
Mr Tong, who was accompanied by Mrs Tong, and officials from MFA and MCCY , said his last visit to the Vatican City was in 2022 when he met Pope Francis.
It was then that he broached the subject of the late pope's visit to Singapore, which came to fruition in 2024.
'His papacy marked a profound chapter in the Holy See's relationship with Singapore — one built on mutual respect, deepened dialogue, and shared values, and we hope to continue in this vein with the new Pope,' he said.
Mr Tong is set to meet overseas Singaporeans based in Rome on the evening of May 18 before returning to Singapore the next day.
Pope Leo made history as the first pontiff from the United States, and his home country was represented on May 18 by US Vice-President J.D. Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also a Catholic.
He was elected on May 8 after a short conclave of cardinals that lasted less than 24 hours.
Born in Chicago, the 69-year-old pontiff spent many years as a missionary in Peru and also has Peruvian citizenship, meaning he is also the first Pope from that South American nation.
He replaces Pope Francis, from Argentina, who died on April 21 after leading the Church for 12 often turbulent years during which he battled with traditionalists and championed the poor and marginalised.
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