When Pope Francis visited Mongolia Aug. 31-Sept. 1, representing one of the church’s smallest and most remote communities, it showcased his repeated love of the peripheries and served as an opportunity to introduce the Catholic Church and its works to a place still largely unfamiliar with Christianity.
By Cindy Wooden ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (CNS) — While China allowed Pope Francis’ plane to cross its airspace on the way to Mongolia, an office of the Chinese Communist Party prevented any Catholic bishops or priests in the mainland from traveling there to see the pope. But a retired cardinal and the future cardinal of Hong […]
By Cindy Wooden ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (CNS) — In a land bordering both Russia and China, and having deep ties with both, Pope Francis told Mongolian leaders their country can play “a significant role in the heart of the great Asian continent and on the international scene,” particularly in peacemaking. After paying tribute to Mongolian history […]
While Pope Francis is in Mongolia Aug. 31-Sept. 4, not only will the geopolitical undertones of the visit be on full display, but so will his affinity for the global and ecclesial peripheries, as he meets one of the Catholic Church’s smallest flocks.
Temüjin, a fearsome general and emperor of the Mongols, is better known to history by his title “Genghis Khan,” which roughly translates as “universal leader.” In the 13th and 14th centuries, he formed the largest empire the world has ever known by uniting all Mongol tribes under his rule.
In a video series published ahead of Pope Francis’ Aug. 31-Sept. 4 visit to Mongolia, Cardinal Giorgio Marengo said the papal trip showcases the pope’s love of the peripheries and allows the voice of one of the Church’s smallest flocks to be heard.
Pope Francis confirmed he will travel to Mongolia in September, becoming the first pope to visit the Asian nation, which is home to a cardinal and some 1,300 Catholics.
