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.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
