Ulaanbaatar - Pope Francis has commenced his 43rd international Apostolic Journey with his arrival in Mongolia's capital, Ulaanbaatar, landing shortly before 10 am local time. The Pope, speaking to journalists on board the ITA Airways flight, described Mongolia as a "land of silence" and expressed his anticipation of experiencing its vastness with his senses, not just intellectually.
Upon arrival at Ulaanbaatar's international Chinggis Khaan airport, Pope Francis received a warm welcome from Monsignor Fernando Duarte Barros Reis, Chargé d'affaires at Mongolia's Apostolic Nunciature, and Ms. Davaasuren Gerelmaa, the Ambassador of Mongolia to the Holy See. Church and government delegations awaited him on the tarmac.
The Mongolian State Honour Guard, resplendent in red, blue, and yellow uniforms and evoking the attire of ancient Mongolian warriors, proudly stood in formation.
During a brief welcome ceremony at the airport, a young Mongolian woman in traditional dress offered the Pope a cup of "Aaruul," boiled yogurt made from the milk of cattle, yaks, and camels. This gesture symbolized the nomadic culture of the Mongolian people and their common travel provisions. Pope Francis graciously accepted the cup and sampled the curd.
The Pope's official meetings and events are scheduled to commence on Saturday morning, with Friday designated as a rest day following the long flight.
As is customary during his Apostolic Journeys, Pope Francis sent telegrams to the leaders of countries he flew over en route to Ulaanbaatar, including President Xi Jinping of China. In his message, the Pope extended greetings and good wishes to the people of China, invoking divine blessings of unity and peace upon them. Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, acknowledged the Pope's blessing as a gesture of friendliness and goodwill, emphasizing the willingness of China and the Holy See to continue constructive dialogues and enhance mutual trust.
Pope Francis also sent telegrams to the leaders of Italy, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.
Mongolia, the destination of the Pope's 43rd Apostolic Journey, is the second-largest landlocked country globally, with a traditionally nomadic population of fewer than 3.5 million people, of whom less than 2 percent are Christians. After 70 years of communist rule and being a satellite nation of the USSR, Mongolia underwent a peaceful revolution in 1990, establishing a multi-party democracy and ensuring religious freedom in its new Constitution.
Catholic missionaries, exiled during the communist years, returned to rebuild the Church from scratch. Today, there are approximately 8 parishes and about 1,500 baptized Catholics in Mongolia. The Church plays a vital role in the country through social, healthcare, and educational programs that assist the underprivileged, elderly, disabled, and abandoned. The young Church is led by Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, the youngest cardinal in the College of Cardinals, elevated by Pope Francis during the August 2022 Consistory.