With the announcement of Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Singapore, this year continues to be filled with significant events for our sunny island. Pope Francis’ visit will mark the second time a Catholic pope has visited Singapore, with the first papal visit occurring almost 40 years ago, when the late Pope John Paul II made a brief stopover in Singapore in 1986. His five-hour visit consisted of a papal mass held at the National Stadium, with around 70,000 attendees. Pope Francis’ upcoming visit is expected to draw a huge crowd. To help you prepare, we’ve put together this guide that will cover everything you need to know, including ticket costs and where to get them.
RECOMMENDED: Singapore’s MRT train chimes: The Teng Company shares their creation process, motivation, and more and Tatsu Maker: American linocut printmaker creates intricate prints of local hawkers and food vendors
When will Pope Francis be visiting Singapore in 2024?
Pope Francis will be visiting Singapore from September 11 to 13, 2024. He will arrive at Changi International Airport on September 11, 2024, at 2.15pm. He will leave Singapore from Changi International Airport on September 13, 2024, at 11.20am.
When will Pope Francis' mass be held in Singapore?
Pope Francis’ mass will most likely be held on September 12, 2024.
How much do tickets cost, and where can I get them?
Tickets are free of charge, and will be made available through a balloting system. You can register your interest with your myCatholicSG account from June 24 to July 31, 2024. You will be notified of the ballot outcome through your account from August 1, and must accept your tickets by August 31 if successful. Do note that volunteers are not allowed to ballot for Papal Mass tickets.
When will I receive my tickets?
If you're successful, you will receive the tickets through your myCatholicSG account from September 1 onwards. You will need to produce your e-ticket and valid photo ID for entry on September 12.
I'm from overseas, can I still attend the Papal Mass in Singapore?
There will be a limited number of free Papal Mass tickets available for Catholics from Malaysia and Brunei. You can register for these tickets by contacting your Diocesan office. You can also receive discounted rates with several hotels near the Papal Mass venue. Find out the list of Dioceses given Papal Mass tickets and hotels with special offers here.
Can I sign up as a volunteer for the upcoming papal visit?
Volunteer sign-ups have closed.
I did not manage to get tickets for the papal mass. Can I still meet Pope Francis?
Besides papal mass, Pope Francis will be attending private Government events, and events at St. Theresa Home and Catholic Junior College – all of which are invite-only events.
What time will the doors open?
The doors will open at 1pm, and close at 3.45pm. However, we recommend arriving slightly earlier as queuing up for security checks may take some time.
What time does papal mass start?
Papal mass will start at 5.15pm, but Pope Francis will make a tour around the Stadium pitch on his Popemobile at 4.30pm.
How long will papal mass last?
The mass will last for one and a half hours, but expect to leave the National Stadium at 7.30pm.
What items cannot be brought into the venue?
Outside food and beverages, including alcohol and bottled water, are not allowed. You may bring an empty plastic water bottle and fill it up inside the venue. Bags of dimensions larger than 35cm by 20cm by 30cm, umbrellas (including collapsible ones), chains, studded accessories, carabiners, strollers, noise makers, chairs, stools, flowers, gifts, hand sanitisers exceeding 60ml, perfume in glass bottles (excluding travel-size perfume atomisers) and fan boards bigger than A3 will also not be allowed in the venue. Lastly, those in possession of video cameras, monopods, tripods, selfie sticks, audio recording devices and professional cameras (those including telephoto or zoom lenses) will be denied entry into the venue as well.
Is re-entry allowed?
You will not be allowed to re-enter the venue unless specified otherwise. If you arrive late, you may also be denied entry into the venue until there is a suitable break, as decided by the event organiser. No refunds or compensation will be given in such situations.
Where can I buy official merchandise?
Official souvenirs to commemorate the event are currently available. All proceeds will go towards defraying the cost of Pope Francis’ visit. You can purchase official souvenirs on the official Catholic Foundation website, or head down to one of the three pop-up stores located at CANA The Catholic Centre, St Francis Xavier Major Seminary, and La Salle House. You can also purchase souvenirs at the National Stadium on September 12, 2024.
Will Pope Francis be visiting other countries in the Asia-Pacific?
Pope Francis will also be visiting Indonesia from September 3 to 6, Papua New Guinea from September 6 to 9, and Timor-Leste from September 9 to 11, 2024.
Where can I find more information on Pope Francis' upcoming visit to Singapore?
You can find out more about Pope Francis’ upcoming visit here, or the Archdiocese Singapore’s official website.
