Singapore Tightens Security Ahead of Pope Francis' Visit

Singapore has increased security checks at immigration points due to a heightened security situation ahead of Pope Francis' visit. Travellers should expect enhanced security from September 9-14, 2024. Recent threats and Pope Francis' Asia Pacific tour have contributed to the heightened alertness.

Singapore has ramped up security measures at immigration entry points starting on Monday, citing a 'heightened security situation' in the region in anticipation of Pope Francis' visit to the city-state.

Travellers arriving by land, air, and sea will face 'enhanced security checks' and should allocate extra time for immigration procedures, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced in a Facebook post on Sunday.

'In view of the heightened security situation in the region, ICA will be implementing enhanced security checks on arriving travellers and conveyances at land, air, and sea checkpoints from September 9 to 14, 2024,' the post stated.

Though the ICA did not specify the reasons for the heightened security alert, media reports hint at connections to Pope Francis' planned visit from September 11-13. Pope Francis, currently on an extensive 12-day trip through the Asia Pacific, will visit Singapore for the final leg of his tour.

Last week, Indonesian authorities detained seven individuals accused of making 'terror threats' against the 87-year-old Catholic leader. The suspects allegedly posted bomb threats aimed at the pope's public engagements in Jakarta.

Singapore, located near the Indonesian archipelago, has frequent ferry services connecting it to the region.

On Sunday, Pope Francis conducted an open-air mass attended by 35,000 people in Papua New Guinea, according to Channel News Asia. His upcoming destinations include Timor Leste and eventually Singapore.

(With inputs from agencies.)