During his visit, Pope Francis sent greetings to China, which restricts the practice of religion. The leader of the Catholic Church visited Mongolia for the first time.
Pope Francis has concluded a rare three-day visit to Buddhist-majority Mongolia.
At the end of the trip, the Pope visited a Catholic charity facility on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, where homeless people and victims of domestic violence live, among other things.
Outside the building, a group of Catholics from Mongolia’s neighboring country, China, were waiting for the Pope, who were singing to the Pope and trying to get close to the Pope. One of the Chinese managed to kiss the rosary of the Pope’s robe.
– Pope, we love you, the Chinese shouted.
The Chinese said they traveled to Mongolia as tourists, but not without difficulties. One of the Chinese said that his tour operator in Xian, China had run into trouble and been arrested.
The Catholic Church is seeking a foothold in Asia
With a population of 3.3 million, Mongolia has only about 1,400 Catholics. The purpose of the Pope’s trip is to support the young Catholic Church in Mongolia. At the same time, the trip is seen as an attempt to strengthen the position of Catholicism more broadly in Asia, especially in China.
China is officially an atheist country, but the activities of Protestants and Catholics, for example, are allowed under control. It is difficult to estimate the exact number of Christians, as many practice their religion unofficially. The number of practitioners of the Catholic religion is estimated to be increasing.
The issue is difficult for China, as it seeks to control all religious activities.
The Vatican and the Chinese government have argued, especially over the right to appoint bishops in China. In 2018, the Vatican and China agreed that China will also have a say in the election of popes.
In his speeches, the Pope sent greetings in the direction of China several times. Pope urges Chinese Catholics to be “good citizens” and “good Christians”
Sources: AFP, AP