Pope Francis commenced his first visit to Mongolia, a Buddhist-majority country, as a gesture of support for the small Catholic community while sending a message of “unity and peace” to China to enhance ties.
Pope Francis was given an exuberant welcome in Mongolia Friday on the first papal visit to the Asian nation, as he sent a message of “unity and peace” to neighboring China to improve ties.
The 86-year-old pontiff’s trip through Monday to the Buddhist-majority nation is a gesture of support for its tiny community of Catholics numbering about 1,400, but at the same time, a strategic move to improve Vatican ties with Beijing and Moscow.
Francis arrived Friday morning local time following a nine-hour journey from Rome, greeted by a line of Mongolian honor guards in traditional blue, red, and yellow attire upon his arrival, along with foreign minister Batmunkh Battsetseg.
He then headed to the home of Bishop Giorgio Marengo, the Church’s youngest Cardinal, where children waving the flags of Mongolia and the Vatican chanted, “Long live the pope!”
Local children sang songs about “Mongolian happiness” while waiting for the Pope, with lyrics declaring, “Mongolia is full of freedom, peace, joy, and a bright future.”
Sister Aleth Evangelista said, “Mongolia is a non-Christian country, most of the people are Buddhist and Shamanist, but the pope is here to foster peace and communion among all people,” she said.
The voyage is Francis’ second to the region in a year after a September trip to Kazakhstan, underscoring the geopolitical importance of the sensitive area.
The visit, Francis’ 43rd voyage in his decade as head of the Catholic Church, is also crucial in keeping the door open for improved Vatican ties with Beijing and Moscow, which have yet to offer the Pope an invitation.
The Holy See last year renewed a controversial deal with China on the thorny issue of bishop appointments, and Francis has sought to broker an end to the war in Ukraine with Russia.
Beijing said it was keen to “strengthen mutual trust” with the Vatican and that the Pope’s words “reflect friendship and goodwill”.
China and the Holy See do not have official ties.
According to the Vatican, Pilgrims from nearby countries are expected at the mass, including from Russia, China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.
Miroslava Salazar, with AFP
