Filipino hospital administrator Anna Galarrita and Filipino domestic helper Olga Reyes have been practising for months to be part of the 1,500-strong choir during the papal mass on Thursday when Pope Francis visits Singapore.

Singapore is enhancing security checks at all land, air and sea checkpoints from Sept 9 to 14. Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority

Govindharaj Muthiah, a 44-year-old Indian-origin carpenter in Singapore, has been commissioned to create two handcrafted chairs for Pope Francis' visit. The chairs will be used during inter-religious dialogue sessions.

Singapore will enhance security at its land, air and sea checkpoints this week due to an unspecified "heightened security situation in the region", its immigration authority said, warning of delays and additional clearance time.