The forthcoming visit of Pope Francis to Mongolia, a country with only 1,450 Catholics, highlights his dedication to reaching out to even the smallest communities around the world. Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, an Italian missionary who has been serving in Mongolia for 20 years, emphasized this point during a recent speech on how Catholic missionaries spread the Gospel discreetly and intimately through personal relationships. The cardinal stated that whispering is effective when communicating with individuals or small groups, as opposed to trying to reach a larger audience who may not hear the message. He believes that the pope’s visit will symbolize his care for each individual embarking on a spiritual journey.
Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Mongolia from August 31 to September 4. This visit is significant given the tension between the Vatican and both China and Russia. Just recently, the pope confirmed Beijing’s decision to unilaterally appoint a new bishop for Shanghai, and the Holy See is navigating a delicate diplomatic situation with Moscow over its actions in Ukraine.
Cardinal Marengo refrained from speculating on the diplomatic implications of the visit, instead focusing on the pope’s deep affection for the universal church, particularly those in minority contexts. Currently, Mongolia has only 1,450 Catholics, most of whom reside in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. According to statistics from the Catholic nonprofit Aid to the Church in Need, the religious landscape in Mongolia is predominantly 53% Tantric Buddhist, with significant atheist, Muslim, Shaman, and Christian minorities. During his visit, the pope will lead an interfaith meeting and inaugurate a new Catholic charity house that provides assistance to the poor and women seeking refuge from domestic violence.
(Read more about Mongolia’s stories on Newser.)
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