Conclave: Could the next pope to lead 1.4 billion Roman Catholics come from tiny Singapore?

Could a boy from a zinc-roofed house in Hougang, in Singapore's north-east become the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics?

In a historic moment for Singapore and the Catholic Church, Cardinal William Goh, 67, has entered the Sistine Chapel as one of 133 cardinal electors tasked with choosing the next pope — following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. 

Historic for Singapore

Goh is the first Singaporean in history to take part in a papal conclave, now on its second day inside the Vatican.

Locked away from the world under the painted gaze of Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment”, Cardinal Goh joins ranks with the most figures in the Church. 

And like every other cardinal present, he himself could be elected the 267th pontiff — a possibility that, no matter how slim, is canonically and spiritually real.

“Any baptised male Catholic can be elected pope,” said a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Singapore, “but since 1379, the chosen one has always been a cardinal.”

Humble beginnings

The fourth Archbishop of Singapore, William Seng Chye Goh was born into a humble family — one of six children of a clerk and a housewife.

He grew up in Hougang in a home with a zinc roof.

After attending Montfort Junior School and Montfort Secondary School in Hougang, where he received his high school diploma, Goh began his philosophy studies at the Major Seminary at Penang (College General), and theology at the St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary (SFXMS) of Singapore, as per the College of Cardinals Report.

Goh initially trained to be a foreign exchange dealer, and had pursued a career in finance before ultimately answering the call to the priesthood. 

Goh was ordained a priest of the archdiocese of Singapore in 1985.

Ordained at the age of 27, Goh then studied theology in Rome and spent decades in parish leadership, theological education, and Church formation.

Picked by Pope Francis as Cardinal

He became Archbishop in 2013 and was elevated to the College of Cardinals in August 2022 by Pope Francis himself during a consistory at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Cardinal Goh now leads Singapore’s 395,000-strong Catholic community and has held key roles in regional theological bodies, inter-religious councils, and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.

A time of transition — and discernment

The papal conclave (“with key” in Latin), is one of the Church’s most secretive and sacred processes.

A new pope must secure at least two-thirds of the votes. But this is no political race—no campaigning, no promises, no posters.

“It is the work of the Holy Spirit moving through prayer and discernment,” said Singapore's non-resident ambassador to the Vatican, Janet Ang. “This is not like a general election.”

Concerns

Cardinals use pre-conclave meetings to present visions for the future of the Church, touching on challenges from war and inequality to climate change, AI, and the rise of secularism.

For Singaporeans, Goh’s participation is a deeply symbolic moment.

“This is a profound responsibility,” the Archdiocese’s spokesperson told the Straits Times. “By casting his vote, Cardinal Goh helps shape the Church’s prophetic voice in the world — one that speaks for peace, unity, and the voiceless.”

Eyes on the Sistine Chapel — and the future

Among the cardinals, several names have emerged as frontrunners.

Still, Vatican consultor Lawrence Chong notes that “the mere fact that Singapore — a tiny nation with a small Catholic population — has a cardinal in the conclave is remarkable in itself.”

In September 2024, Pope Francis visited Singapore for the first time, celebrating Mass with 50,000 faithful. 

Less than a year later, the nation’s only cardinal stands among the successors of the Apostles in the Sistine Chapel — his red vestments now a symbol not just of martyrdom, but of possibility.

As white smoke is awaited over St. Peter’s Square, one question remains: Could the next pope come from Singapore?