Visit to Ulaanbaatar
Pope praises Mongolia’s peace efforts
Pope Francis travels to Mongolia to encourage one of the smallest and youngest Catholic communities in the world. It is the first time a pope has visited the country. photo
© Louise Delmotte/AP/dpa
The head of the Catholic Church has been visiting Mongolia since Friday. The pontiff considers the peace efforts of the nation to be particularly important.
Given the country’s geographic location – sandwiched between powerful neighbors Russia and China – some of the statements could be read as subtle messages to her.
abolition of the death penalty
Referring to the nuclear powers Russia and China, the Pope praised the country’s determination to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons and present itself to the world as a country without nuclear weapons.
Francis also mentioned the abolition of the death penalty in Mongolia – “another wise element that is worth noting” – and freedom of religion after overcoming the “atheistic ideology” of the Soviet era. According to observers, these statements should primarily be heard from the neighbors.
Meetings between religions
Mongolia can be an example to the world in many ways. In this context, Francis again mentioned the silence and distance in Mongolia. Looking into the wide horizon makes it possible to “overcome the limitations of narrow perspectives and to open ourselves to a mentality of global breadth”.
The pontiff has been in the world’s second largest landlocked country since Friday for the first visit by a pope. During his visit to Mongolia, Francis wants to strengthen the small Catholic community with almost 1,500 members and promote dialogue between the religions. A highlight of the visit is a meeting between religions. Buddhism and shamanism are predominant in Mongolia.