President Tony Tan and PM Lee send valedictory letters to Pope

President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have sent valedictory letters to the outgoing Pope Benedict XVI, who is stepping down today.

The president said that people all over the world, including many in Singapore, will remember the Pope's "tremendous contributions" to the Catholic community.

"You devoted your life to shepherding Catholics around the world, and championing the causes of peace and development. Through your teachings, you have reinforced the Catholic faith and provided a beacon of inspiration and hope in the face of challenges from the modern world," he said.

PM Lee said that the warm ties between Singapore and the Holy See, which is the Catholic Church's jurisdiction in Rome, have strengthened under the Pope's leadership.