SINGAPORE. Pope Francis arrived in Singapore on Wednesday, concluding the final leg of his historic Asia tour. His arrival in one of the world’s wealthiest nations follows an emotional and record-breaking visit to East Timor, one of the poorest countries in the region, where his message of unity and hope resonated with millions.

The 87-year-old pontiff, who is on the longest trip of his papacy, arrived in Singapore aboard Aero Dili’s Airbus A320 after a brief farewell ceremony in East Timor. The Pope’s arrival in the bustling financial hub came after leading a momentous Mass attended by around 600,000 Timorese faithful in the seaside capital of Dili. This figure represents nearly half of East Timor’s population, a testament to the strong Catholic faith of its people.

During his stay in East Timor, Francis urged the youth, who comprise most of the country’s 1.3 million population, to work towards the nation’s continued development. “Go forward with the happiness of youth, but don’t forget one thing,” Francis emphasized. “You are the heirs of those who persevered in founding this nation. For this, don’t lose your memory, the memory of those who persevered with so much sacrifice to consolidate this nation.”

The Pope, who spoke off the cuff in his native Spanish, encouraged the youth to build upon the foundations laid by previous generations who fought for East Timor’s independence from Indonesia in 2002. His rallying call was filled with optimism, yet also carried a warning for the future.

In his final address at the Mass, Francis urged the people of East Timor to remain vigilant against external forces seeking to exploit their country’s resources. Using the metaphor of “crocodiles,” he warned the Timorese to be wary of those who “want to change your culture, your history.” This caution was likely directed at international commercial interests vying to develop East Timor’s rich natural gas reserves.

“Don’t go near those crocodiles because they bite, and bite a lot, a lot,” Francis warned, using the Spanish term that also implies corruption or bribery. His message was clear: protect the country’s heritage and resources from exploitation, especially as negotiations continue over the development of the Greater Sunrise gas field, a key economic asset shared with Australia.

East Timor, officially known as Timor-Leste, has faced significant challenges since gaining independence, with over 40% of its population living below the poverty line. The nation’s oil and gas sector remains its main source of revenue, yet disputes over how to best harness these resources have delayed potential benefits for its people.

Francis’ visit to East Timor also highlighted the country’s journey of reconciliation following its brutal occupation by Indonesia. During his stay, the Pope lauded the Timorese for rebuilding their nation from the ground up and fostering peace with Indonesia. One figure who exemplified this spirit of reconciliation is Fransisco Dionisio Fernandes, a former pro-independence activist and now a diplomat. Speaking about the importance of moving forward, Fernandes remarked, “What’s past is past, every nation certainly has its dark history, and we cannot erase history. East Timor has made a great effort to reconcile the wounds of the past and found a way to pursue a process of genuine reconciliation.”

As Francis departed for Singapore, the contrast between the two nations was striking. Singapore, a global financial hub, stands in sharp contrast to the poverty-stricken East Timor. Since its independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore has transformed into an economic powerhouse, known for its high standard of living, low crime rates, and highly competitive work environment. Yet, it also faces challenges, such as being one of the most expensive cities in the world and having a high-pressure workforce.

While Francis has no public engagements scheduled for his arrival in Singapore, he is expected to hold a private meeting with his fellow Jesuits later in the day.

Pope Francis’ trip has been a powerful demonstration of his commitment to advocating for the poor and marginalized while addressing global challenges like corruption and resource exploitation. His message in East Timor, coupled with his arrival in Singapore, underscores the vast economic disparities that continue to shape the Asian continent.