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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra seeks royal pardon in Thailand

Venus L Peñaflor
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Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra seeks royal pardon in Thailand

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand who had been living in self-exile for over 15 years, has submitted a formal request for a royal pardon to King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This move comes shortly after his highly anticipated return to Thailand.

Thaksin, a prominent figure in Thai politics, held the position of Prime Minister from 2001 until he was deposed in a military coup in 2006. After a brief return to Thailand in 2008, he fled the country due to a corruption conviction.

Outgoing Justice Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam confirmed the receipt of Thaksin’s letter seeking a royal pardon and assured the public that the request would be processed in accordance with established protocols. He emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the King.

Thaksin’s return to Thailand occurred on August 22 when he arrived via a private jet and was greeted by his family and supporters in Bangkok. Shortly after his arrival, the Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison on charges including conflict of interest, abuse of power, and corruption during his time in office. Notably, these convictions were made in absentia during his exile.

Following a medical examination, Thaksin was initially taken to prison but was later transferred to a hospital due to health issues, including chest tightness, high blood pressure, and low oxygen levels. The Thai Corrections Department stated that his underlying heart condition required specialized care, which could not be provided in a prison hospital. As a result, the likelihood of Thaksin being incarcerated in the near future appears low, according to analysts.

Shortly after Thaksin’s return, the Thai parliament selected Srettha Thavisin from the populist Pheu Thai party as the country’s 30th Prime Minister. Pheu Thai formed a coalition with two military-backed parties, which had been involved in the overthrow of the democratically elected government led by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, nearly a decade ago. The Shinawatra political dynasty, founded by Thaksin, has wielded significant influence in Thai politics for the past two decades.

Some observers speculate that Thaksin may have negotiated an arrangement with the conservative and royalist establishment in exchange for his return, potentially involving a reduced prison sentence, lenient treatment, or even a pardon. However, Thaksin has reportedly denied such claims.

The timeline for the royal pardon application process remains unclear. In Thailand, prisoners can request a royal pardon through the justice minister, who then forwards the application to the Prime Minister and ultimately the King for final approval. With the caretaker government’s term coming to an end and the incoming government, led by Thaksin ally Srettha, set to take office, the situation remains dynamic.

Thaksin Shinawatra is a billionaire. He remains a divisive figure in Thai politics, having amassed substantial wealth as a telecommunications mogul and implementing policies favored by the rural population but criticized by the country’s elite and conservative segments for alleged populism and corruption.

DTI: P1M na multa para sa mga lalabag sa ‘rice price cap’

Venus L Peñaflor
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DTI: P1M na multa para sa mga lalabag sa ‘rice price cap’

Naglabas ng babala ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) laban sa mga negosyante na lalabag sa itinakdang ‘price cap’ para sa bigas, kung saan maaaring parusahan sila ng multa mula P500,000 hanggang P1 milyon.

Ipinahayag ito ni DTI Assistant Secretary Agaton Uvero, kasabay ng panawagan sa mga nagtitinda ng bigas na mag alay ng sakripisyo para sa kapakinabangan ng publiko. Ito ay matapos ipahatid ang mga reklamo mula sa mga maliit na tindahan ng bigas, na nagsasabing mawawalan sila ng kita kung susunod sila sa itinakdang price cap ng gobyerno na P41-P45 bawat kilo ng bigas.

“Hinihingi ng pamahalaan ang tulong ng mga nagtitinda na mag-ambag sa kapakanan ng mga mamamayan,” ayon kay Uvero. Sinabi pa niya na batay sa kanilang komputasyon, maaaring ibenta ang bigas sa naturang presyo nang hindi malulugi ngunit hindi rin lubos na kikita.

Binigyang-diin ng opisyal na pansamantala lamang ang price ceiling dahil sa inaasahang pagdating ng bagong imported na bigas, na magiging susi upang maging normal ang suplay ng bigas sa bansa. Bukod dito, malapit na rin aniya ang anihan ng palay.

Magiging epektibo ang price ceiling sa Setyembre 5, isang araw matapos itong ilathala sa mga pahayagan. Inaasahan ng DTI, kasama ang Department of Agriculture, na magpapadala sila ng mga tauhan sa mga palengke upang bantayan ang mga sumusunod at lumalabag sa price ceiling.

Ayon pa rin sa ulat, ang gobyerno ay nasa proseso ng pagbuo ng posibleng tulong pinansyal para sa mga ‘micro, small, at medium rice retailers’ na maapektuhan ng price ceiling.

India embarks on sun study mission following successful moon landing

Venus L Peñaflor
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India embarks on sun study mission following successful moon landing

NEW DELHI. India’s foray into solar exploration took off less than two weeks after a historic unmanned lunar landing in the moon’s southern polar region. The Aditya-L1 spacecraft, designed to investigate the sun, was launched from the Sriharikota space center in southern India on Saturday.

Aditya-L1’s destination is a point known as L1, situated approximately 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 miles) from Earth, offering an unobstructed view of the sun. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) equipped the spacecraft with seven instruments to scrutinize the sun’s corona, chromosphere, photosphere, and solar wind.

ISRO expressed its delight, stating, “The vehicle has placed the satellite precisely into its intended orbit. India’s first solar observatory has begun its journey to the destination of Sun-Earth L1 point.”

The satellite is expected to reach the L1 point in 125 days.

India made history on August 23 by becoming the first nation to land a spacecraft near the moon’s south pole, potentially uncovering significant frozen water resources in uncharted territory. Following an unsuccessful moon landing attempt in 2019, India joined the United States, Russia, and China as the fourth country to achieve this feat.

Jitendra Singh, India’s junior minister for science and technology, commended ISRO officials for their latest launch and described it as a “sunshine moment” for the country.

The successful sun study mission, coupled with India’s lunar triumph, is poised to enhance ISRO’s global standing, according to Manish Purohit, a former ISRO scientist.

Hundreds of onlookers cheered as India’s sun mission took flight. Prakash, one of the spectators, likened the launch to “one more milestone” following the recent moon mission and noted that it would set a high standard for ISRO.

Sridevi, another spectator, expressed pride in witnessing India’s developmental activities in the space sector.

Once in its designated orbit, the satellite will provide crucial early warnings of heightened solar activity, safeguarding Earth’s power grids from potential disruptions caused by solar particles and radiation. This advance notice is crucial for protecting the global economic infrastructure’s backbone—satellites—as well as inhabitants of space stations, said B.R. Guruprasad, a space scientist, in an article in The Times of India.

Manish Purohit emphasized the significance of the seven payloads on board, which will capture images of the sun in various spectra, ensuring that no solar activity goes unnoticed.

Holduppers na walang armas at sakay sa mountain bike, tinutugis sa Cavite

Arman B. Cambe
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Holduppers na walang armas at sakay sa mountain bike, tinutugis sa Cavite

CAVITE CITY. Magkasunod na insidente ng panghoholdap ang nangyari sa dalawang convenience store sa lalawigang ito kahapon, kung saan ang isa sa mga holdaper ay naka-bisikleta lamang.

Ang unang pangyayari ng panghoholdap ay naganap sa Alfmart sa Brgy. Niog, Bacoor City, kung saan dalawang suspek ang nagpanggap na mga customer. Ayon kay Maya Ocampo, isang empleyado ng nasabing tindahan, alas-2:27 ng madaling araw nang pumasok ang dalawang lalaki at bumili ng isang bote ng mineral water.

Nang lumapit sila sa counter upang magbayad, biglang nagdeklara ng holdap ang dalawa. Subalit wala silang anumang armas na dala. Tinakot lamang nila sa salita ang kahera kung kaya at sumunod ito sa utos na buksan ang kaha ng pera.

Matapos makuha ang pera ng tindahan, agad silang tumakas sakay sa dalawang mountain bike.

Sa bukod na insidente, pumasok ang mga armadong holdaper sa isa pang Alfamart sa Dasmariñas City alas-2:15 ng madaling araw.

Tatlong kalalakihan ang lumusob sa tindahan na matatagpuan sa Villa Catalina, Brgy. San Agustin 3, Dasmariñas. Dito, kinuha nila ang duty guard na si Richard Isternon at ini-lock sa loob ng comfort room. Ang dalawang crew naman ay ikinulong sa storage room ng convenience store.

Nakuha ng mga holdaper ang mahigit P200,000 na kita ng tindahan at nagnakaw pa sila ng limang boteng Black Label at apat na Red Label, na may kabuuang halagang P14,000.

Matapos ang kanilang krimen, agad silang tumakas sakay ng isang itim na Honda wave motorcycle, na walang plaka. Ayon sa mga ulat, may taas na 5’4″ ang mga holdaper at sila ay nakasuot ng itim at brown na jacket.

Sa ngayon, isinasagawa na ng pulisya ang mga hakbang para mahuli ang mga holdaper sa magkakasunod na insidente.

Pope Francis commends Mongolia’s historic religious freedom during landmark visit

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Pope Francis commends Mongolia’s historic religious freedom during landmark visit

Pope Francis commences his historic visit to Mongolia, commending the nation’s long-standing religious freedom, a tradition dating back to the era of its founder, Genghis Khan.

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia. During the first-ever papal visit to this Asian nation, the Pope offered words of encouragement to its small Catholic community.

In a traditional Mongolian ger within the state palace, Pope Francis met with President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and conveyed his sense of being a “pilgrim of peace” in a country that embodies both youthful vigor and ancient traditions.

The Pope’s visit to Mongolia serves a dual purpose: ministering to one of the world’s newest and smallest Catholic communities, consisting of approximately 1,450 Mongolians, while also engaging in diplomatic efforts in a region marked by complex relations with neighboring Russia to the north and China to the south.

Although Christianity has a historical presence in the region, sanctioned Catholicism in Mongolia only emerged in 1992 when the country abandoned its Soviet-aligned communist government and enshrined religious freedom in its constitution. Nevertheless, foreign missionaries face limitations as the government treats the Church as a non-governmental organization. The Holy See seeks to address these restrictions through a comprehensive bilateral agreement.

Pope Francis applauded Mongolia’s legacy of religious tolerance, noting that even during the height of the Mongol Empire’s vast expansion, it embraced diverse cultures. Mongolia today, nestled between Russia and China, predominantly practices Buddhism with ties to Tibet’s prominent lamas, including the Dalai Lama. The Pope called for the revival of a spirit of fraternity and peace, akin to the 13th-century “pax mongolica,” to foster peace in the region.

Later in the day, Pope Francis met with local bishops and missionaries, encouraging them to embrace Mongolian culture and language while reassuring them that small numbers should not deter their mission.

The Pope also acknowledged Mongolia’s efforts to combat climate change, though he raised concerns about corruption, alluding to a coal scandal with China. Mongolia is slated to host the 2026 U.N. conference on desertification and has initiated a campaign to plant one billion trees.

In summary, Pope Francis’ visit to Mongolia signifies the nation’s importance on the global stage, showcasing its religious freedom, commitment to peace, and environmental stewardship.

Marcos: Traders na hindi susunod na itinakdang price cap ng bigas, isumbong

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Marcos: Traders na hindi susunod na itinakdang price cap ng bigas, isumbong

Hinimok ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang publiko na magsumbong sa pulisya o sa Department of Agriculture (DA) ang mga nagtitinda ng bigas na hindi sumusunod sa itinakdang presyo ng pamahalaan.

Sinabi ni Marcos na dapat isumbong agad sa pulisya o sa DA, pati na rin sa lokal na pamahalaan, ang sino mang may kaalaman tungkol sa mga negosyanteng o tindahang nagsasamantala sa presyo ng bigas.

“I would encourage everyone who finds that someone, or a retailer is selling, at above the price ceiling, i-report po ninyo. Report niyo sa pulis, i-report niyo sa DA doon sa lugar ninyo, i-report niyo sa local government para ma­tingnan namin at tiyakin na hindi lalampas sa ating presyo na ating linagay na P40 at P44,” dagdag pa ni Marcos.

Batay sa Executive Order No. 39 na inaprubahan ng pangulo, ang regular milled rice ay dapat lamang ibenta sa halagang P41 bawat kilo habang ang presyo ng well-milled rice ay limitado sa P45 bawat kilo.

Gayunpaman, itinuturing na pangunahing problema ito sa National Capital Region (NCR).

5 CAFGU members patay, 3 sugatan sa ambush

Roy Tomandao
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5 CAFGU members patay, 3 sugatan sa ambush

TAGKAWAYAN, Quezon. Limang miyembro ng CAFGU (Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit) ang namatay habang tatlo pa ang sugatan matapos tambangan ng mga rebeldeng New People’s Army (NPA) sa Sitio Pag-asa, Brgy. Mapulot, sa bayang ito, malapit sa boundary ng Labo, Camarines Norte sa Bicol region, nitong Biyernes.

Kinumpirma ni AFP-Southern Luzon Command (AFP-SOLCOM) Spokesman Lt. Col. Dennis Cana ang insidente na naganap sa pagitan ng tropa ng 85th Infantry Battalion (IB) ng Philippine Army at mga miyembro ng CAFGU.

Ang limang nasawi ay kinilalang sina Cesar Sales, Jeffrey San Antonio, Aljohn Rapa, Johnwell Perez, at Jomari Guno, lahat residente ng Tagkawayan, Quezon at miyembro ng CAFGU.

Tatlo ang nasugatan, kasama ang isang sundalo, na kinilalang sina Corporal Marvijun Oller, Jr., Lauro De Guzman, at Regie Macalintal, taga-Tagka­wayan, Quezon.

Nabatid na nagmula ang mga rebelde sa Bicol region at lahat ay may suot na red bandana at black kamisa de china, ang kanilang pangkalahatang kasuotan.

Naganap ang bakbakan nang magpapatrol ang mga government forces sa lugar, at ito ay nagresulta sa 30-minutong labanan bago umatras ang mga rebelde.

Kinumpirma ni Col. Ledon Monte, Quezon police director, na nag-dispatch na siya ng karagdagang pwersa sa lugar upang sumuporta sa tropa ng 85th IB sa pagtugis sa mga rebelde.

Sinabi ni Monte na kasalukuyan ding nagkakaroon ng joint PNP-AFP Intensified Checkpoint Operations sa lugar sa koordinasyon ng COMELEC.

Ang Quezon ay isinailalim sa deklarasyon na insurgency-free province noong Hunyo 12, ngunit ang insidenteng ito ay nagpapakita na maaari pa ring maging panganib ang mga rebelde sa ilalim ng naturang deklarasyon.

Dahil sa joint efforts ng military, pulisya, at iba pang mga grupo, marami nang bayan at lalawigan sa Quezon ang nagdeklara na ng insurgency-free status.

CBCP Office joins NTF-ELCAC to address social and church concerns in government

Venus L Peñaflor
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CBCP Office joins NTF-ELCAC to address social and church concerns in government

An office under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has officially become a part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). They aim to present “social concerns and issues of the Church” that require government attention, as confirmed by CBCP head Bishop Pablo David of Caloocan City on Friday.

“The said Commission [on Public Affairs] clarifies that they are engaging with the NTF-ELCAC precisely to address some Church issues vis-a-vis government, including the issue about the red-tagging of some cause-oriented groups and Church organizations by the said body,” stated Bishop David in an official statement. He also emphasized that the Commission intends to provide moral and ethical approaches to addressing the insurgency problem.

The NTF-ELCAC had previously announced the inclusion of the CBCP Commission on Public Affairs, led by Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista as chairman and Fr. Jerome Secillano as executive secretary, as one of the private-sector representatives within the task force.

In addition to the CBCP’s involvement, NTF-ELCAC Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. informed reporters that efforts are underway to designate a business sector representative to fill the remaining private sector slot in the NTF organization.

However, some social groups have expressed concerns about CBCP’s participation in the anti-insurgency task force. Women’s group Gabriela issued a statement on Friday, stating, “The news comes heavy to us, as we have known a great deal of persons of faith within the CBCP who have spoken out against the measures so gleefully pushed by the NTF-ELCAC, such as the Anti-Terrorism Act.” They went on to criticize the task force for alleged acts of red-tagging, vilification, defamation, harassment, justification of murder, and the spreading of falsehoods against human rights advocates, including members of the Church.

In a separate statement, the youth group Kabataan Party-list echoed these concerns, saying, “The task force wants to control the Church itself, despite the supposed separation of Church and State, to improve its image and use religion and the Catholic community for surveillance, red-tagging, and other attacks against ordinary citizens.”

In June, activists from the Cordillera People’s Alliance appealed to the Supreme Court to issue a writ of amparo against government agencies, including the NTF-ELCAC, and the police, alleging their involvement in red-tagging.

The NTF-ELCAC was established under Executive Order 70 to raise awareness and respond to the communist armed conflict in the country.

Itinakda ni PBBM ang limit ng presyo ng bigas sa buong bansa

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Itinakda ni PBBM ang limit ng presyo ng bigas sa buong bansa

Inaprubahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang rekomendasyon na magpapatupad ng “mandated price ceilings” sa bigas sa buong bansa. Layon nito na tiyakin na resonable o makatuwiran ang presyo at may “conveniently accessible staple food” ang mga Filipino sa gitna ng naka-aalarmang pagtaas ng retail prices sa mga pamilihan.

Nauna rito, nilagdaan ni Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin ang Executive Order No. 39, araw ng Huwebes, nakasaad na inaprubahan ni Pangulong Marcos ang joint recommendation ng Department of Agriculture (DA) at Department of Trade of Industry (DTI) na magtakda ng price ceilings sa bigas sa bansa.

Ipinalabas din ito kasunod ng sectoral meeting noong Agosto 29, kung saan ipinaalam kay Pangulong Marcos ang kalagayan ng inisyatiba ng pamahalaan na tiyakin ang suplay ng bigas sa bansa.

Sa ilalim ng EO 39, ang ‘mandated price ceiling’ para sa regular milled rice ay P41.00 per kilogram habang ang mandated price cap para sa well-milled rice ay P45.00 per kilogram.

“The mandated price ceilings shall remain in full force and effect unless lifted by the President upon the recommendation of the Price Coordinating Council or the DA and the DTI,” ang nakasaad sa executive order, magiging epektibo sa oras na ilathala sa Official Gazette, o sa anumang pahayagan na may general circulation.

Ang rekumendasyon ng DA at DTI na magpatupad ng price ceilings sa bigas ay nag-ugat mula sa kasalukuyang pagsirit ng retail prices ng bigas sa bansa na nagresulta ng malaking “economic strain” sa mga Filipino, partikular na sa mga “underprivileged at marginalized.”

Sa sectoral meeting, iniulat ng DA ang projection nito na ang rice supply para sa second semester ay umabot ng 10.15 million metric tons (MMT), 2.53 MMT nito ay ending stock mula sa first semester habang 7.20 MMT ay ang inaasahang ani mula sa lokal na produksyon at tanging 0.41 MMT ay imported rice.

“The total supply would be more than enough to cover the current demand of 7.76 MMT and will yield an ending stock of 2.39 MM that will last up to 64 days,” ayon sa DA.

Base pa rin sa projection, nakasaad sa EO 39 na ang DA at DTI “have reported that the country’s rice supplies have reached a stable level and are sufficient owing to the arrival of rice imports and expected surplus on local production.”

Gayunman, nakasaad pa rin sa EO na “despite steady supply of rice, the DA and DTI have also reported widespread practice of alleged illegal price manipulation, such as hoarding by opportunistic traders and collusion among industry cartels in light of the lean season, as well as global events taking place beyond the Philippines’ control, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India’s ban on rice exportation, and the unpredictability of oil prices in the world market, among other factors, have caused an alarming increase in the retail prices of this basic commodity.”

“As of Aug. 28,” iniulat ng DA na ang local regular milled rice sa mga pamilihan sa National Capital Region (NCR) ay mula P42.00 per kilogram hanggang P55.00 per kilogram habang ang local well-milled rice ay nananatili sa P48.00 per kilogram hanggang P56.00 per kilogram.

Iniulat naman ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) na ang rice inflation rate ay tumaas mula sa 1.0% noong January 2022 at naging 4.2% noong July 2023, “which could be attributed to the rising demand and tight supply due to, among others, efforts of other countries to buffer their supply in anticipation of El Niño and the above-mentioned international developments” ayon sa NEDA.

Sa kabilang dako, inatasan naman ni Pangulong Marcos ang DTI at DA na tiyakin ang mahigpit na implementasyon ng “mandated price ceilings, monitor at investigate abnormal price movements” ng bigas sa pamilihan at magbigay ng tulong sa mga apektadong retailers sa tulong ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Inatasan din niya ang Bureau of Customs (BOC) na paigtingin ang nagpapatuloy na inspeksyon at pagsalakay sa mga rice warehouses para labanan ang hoarding at illegal importation ng bigas sa bansa, at pangasiwaan at pabilisin ang “confiscation, seizure, o forfeiture” ng smuggled rice “as may be warranted by law” sa tulong ng DA.

Ibabahagi naman ng DA sa BOC ang mahahalagang impormasyon gaya ng inventory ng rice stocks, listahan ng accredited rice importers, at lokasyon ng rice warehouses.

Inatasan din ng Pangulo ang Philippine Competition Commission, sa pakikipagtulungan sa DA at DTI, na ipatupad ang hakbang at batas laban sa cartels o iyong mga umaabuso sa kanilang dominant position sa pamilihan para tiyakin ang “fair market competition” at paninidigan ang “consumer welfare and protection.”

Binigyan naman ng mandato ang Philippine National Police (PNP) at iba pang law enforcement agencies na tulungan ang DTI at DA na siguruhin ang agaran at epektibong pagpapatupad ng price ceilings sa bigas sa bansa.

Sa ilalim ng Section 7 of the Republic Act No. 7581, “the President, upon the recommendation of the implementing agency, or the Price Coordinating Council, may impose a price ceiling on any basic necessity or prime commodity in compliance with the conditions set by the law.”

“RA 7581, or the Price Act was enacted in 1992, allowing the state to provide effective and sufficient protection to consumers against hoarding, profiteering and cartels.”

Pope Francis visits Mongolia amid strained Vatican relations with Russia and China

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Pope Francis visits Mongolia amid strained Vatican relations with Russia and China

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia. Pope Francis arrived in Mongolia on Friday to offer support to one of the world’s smallest and newest Catholic communities. This marks the first-ever visit by a pope to the landlocked Asian nation, and it occurs at a time when Vatican relations with Mongolia’s powerful neighbors, Russia and China, are facing renewed challenges.

Francis reached the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar, following an overnight flight that passed through Chinese airspace. This unusual route allowed the Pope to send a greeting to President Xi Jinping, following Vatican protocol which dictates that the Pope should send greetings when flying over a foreign country. In his message to Xi, Pope Francis expressed “greetings of good wishes” and invoked blessings of unity and peace upon China.

Despite tensions in the relationship, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, described the greeting as a sign of “friendliness and goodwill.” Wang emphasized China’s willingness to continue constructive dialogues with the Vatican and enhance mutual understanding.

Upon arrival, Pope Francis, who uses a wheelchair, was greeted by helmeted honor guards and Mongolia’s foreign minister. He was also offered dried yogurt by a woman in traditional dress as a gesture of welcome. However, he made no public comments upon arrival.

During his visit, Pope Francis will hold official meetings with Mongolia’s president and prime minister, as well as deliver a speech to Mongolian government, cultural, and business leaders. He will also meet with the bishops, priests, and nuns who make up the small Catholic community of 1,450 people, which has existed for only one generation.

Although Christianity has a long history in the region, the Catholic Church was officially recognized in Mongolia only in 1992, following the country’s transition away from its Soviet-aligned communist government and the enshrinement of religious freedom in its constitution. Since then, the Holy See and Mongolia have maintained diplomatic relations, with missionary religious orders, including Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, supporting the small Catholic community.

During his visit, Pope Francis will preside over an encounter with missionaries, highlighting his commitment to their work. He will also inaugurate a new church-run charity house to assist Mongolia’s poorest.

Pope Francis has consistently prioritized visiting small and minority Catholic communities worldwide, demonstrating the universal reach of the Catholic Church. In Mongolia, he will also focus on the country’s long history of interfaith coexistence, emphasizing its tradition of tolerance toward various faiths.

While the Vatican insists that the Pope’s visit is to Mongolia, the question of China will remain in the background. Chinese and Russian Catholics are expected to attend the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Mongolia, but China’s crackdown on religious minorities continues to influence the trip. Additionally, China’s opposition to the Dalai Lama, revered by Mongolian Buddhism, may come up during the visit.

China has demanded strict adherence to party directives for all religions, a policy known as “Sinicization.” This has led to the removal of religious symbols from churches and mosques. While the Vatican and China signed an accord in 2018 on bishop nominations, China has violated it, and tensions persist.

Pope Francis’ visit to Mongolia serves to support the growing Catholic community in the country and highlight interfaith coexistence, but it takes place against the backdrop of complex Vatican relations with Russia and China.

AP contributed to the story.

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