Benvenuto, Papa Francesco!

15 September 2024

Relive the historic visit of Pope Francis to Catholic Junior College on 13 September 2024, where he urged youth to show courage and work towards interreligious unity.

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An elderly man in white papal robes seated in a wheelchair receives flowers from a smiling young woman in a navy shirt.

Kellie Jubela, 2T26, in a hand clasp with the Holy Father, Pope Francis

With hearts overflowing with thanksgiving, Catholic Junior College (CJC) is blessed and grateful to God our Heavenly Father for the momentous visit by His Holiness, Pope Francis, to our college grounds on 13 September 2024.

Two students speak in a school courtyard as crowds watch from balconies and ground level under blue sky.

School courtyard with crowds on balconies; mascot and students stand on a flame-shaped emblem on bricks.

Chua En Ya 1T14 and Jayden Khoo 1T09 rallying students at the Piazza to welcome Pope Francis

Pope Francis, wearing a floral lei and seated in a wheelchair, shakes hands with a young woman while cameras record the event.

Nandhana Mahesh, 2T10, and Jeremiah Ng, 2T01, welcome His Holiness with garlands

An elderly man in white with a floral lei sits in a wheelchair, greeted by several formally dressed people outdoors.

Mrs Woo Soo Min, Principal, welcomes His Holiness to Catholic Junior College

A man in white robes sits in a wheelchair waving outside a Performing Arts Centre, greeted by cheering crowds above.

The Holy Father waves to exuberant CJCians

Pope Francis seated on stage with youth at Singapore's Together in Unity and Hope interreligious event, September 13, 2024.

Interreligious Youth with Pope Francis in Catholic Junior College. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Edwin Tong, is seated on Pope Francis’s right.

In his dialogue with the youth, His Holiness, Pope Francis, exhorted the young people to have courage, to not be afraid, and to take risks. His encouraging message to the youth was shared by Mrs Woo Soo Min, Principal, CJC, who believes that the young people have what it takes to exercise agency to lead their peers to examine the deeper issues of interreligious unity amidst diversity. She added, “interreligious unity is not a distant slogan, nor a mere aspiration. It is something that we, especially the youths of today, can realise through collective will to build that common good, one that is enduring and promotes the dignity of all, regardless of race and religion.”

A man in white papal vestments leans over a colorful artwork reading "Unity Hope Pope Francis Singapore 2024."

The Holy Father prepares to add the finishing touches to the community batik painting

Group gathered as seated man and students paint a large colorful banner on a table in a crowded hall.

His Holiness Pope Francis adds the finishing touches to the community batik painting in CJC

A cardinal in red and white robes paints on a colorful mural reading "Unity Hope Pope Francis Singapore 2024."

William Cardinal Goh, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore, paints the community batik with Ms Janet Ang, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Holy See (first from left).

A man in white papal robes seated in a wheelchair reaches out to greet a large orange flame mascot character outdoors.

His Holiness gives a hand to Solar, the CJC mascot that represents the flame of the CJC badge

A person in white clothing sits in a white Hyundai IONIQ 5 surrounded by cheering crowds at a colorful building.

Thank you and God bless you, Papa Francesco!

The CJC community gives thanks to God and extends her deepest appreciation to everyone who helped to make this Interreligious Youth with Pope Francis, experienced in different ways, a personal encounter with God through the Holy Father. Inspired by the words shared by the Holy Father, may we live our lives promoting the human dignity of all for the common good of society, in solidarity with all in our midst.

Group of students in uniforms gather smiling around a colorful table artwork, one holding a phone.

Thank you, Papa Francesco. We will pray for you!

In Veritate et Caritate