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| Pope Francis and the Eucharist |
Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, an Italian missionary who has been serving in Mongolia for two decades, expressed his anticipation for Pope Francis' upcoming visit to the country's small Catholic community. Despite having only 1,450 Catholics, the cardinal believes that the pope's visit demonstrates his dedication to reaching even the remotest corners of the world in order to minister to a handful of faithful individuals. Cardinal Marengo shared his thoughts with reporters after delivering a speech on the subtle and personal approach of Catholic missionaries in Mongolia, as they spread the Gospel through one-on-one relationships.
In describing the missionary work in Mongolia, Cardinal Marengo drew an analogy to whispering. He explained that when you whisper, you can only communicate effectively with an individual or a small group of people. Similarly, the visit of Pope Francis to Mongolia symbolizes the attention and care the pontiff has for each individual embarking on their own journey of faith. By visiting this small community, the pope aims to manifest his commitment to all believers, regardless of their numbers. This visit will not only be a significant event for the Catholic community in Mongolia but will also symbolize the pope's love for the universal Church.
Scheduled from August 31 to September 4, Pope Francis' visit to Mongolia comes at a time when tensions between the Vatican and both China and Russia are evident. Just recently, the pope confirmed Beijing's appointment of a new bishop for Shanghai, despite previous objections. Furthermore, the Holy See is navigating a diplomatic balancing act with Moscow concerning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Although Cardinal Marengo refrained from speculating on the diplomatic implications of the trip, he emphasized that the primary purpose of the visit was to illustrate Pope Francis' love for the Church and his desire to support Catholic communities living in minority contexts.
Cardinal Marengo highlighted that the majority of the Catholic population in Mongolia resides in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, and numbers only 1,450 individuals. Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic nonprofit organization, provides statistics indicating that Mongolia's religious demographics consist of 53% Tantric Buddhist, 39% atheist, 3% Muslim, 3% Shaman, and 2% Christian.
During his visit, Pope Francis will preside over an interfaith meeting, promoting dialogue and understanding among different religious traditions. Additionally, he will inaugurate a new Catholic charity house, aimed at providing assistance to the poor, destitute, and women seeking refuge from domestic violence. Cardinal Marengo, who became the youngest cardinal last year when he was appointed by Pope Francis, expressed his hope that the visit would help the Mongolian faithful realize their connection to the global Catholic Church. Given the small number of Catholics in Mongolia, it can be challenging for them to fully grasp the worldwide presence and significance of the Church. However, through the pope's visit, Cardinal Marengo believes that the Mongolian Catholic community will gain a deeper understanding of their place within the global Church.
In summary, Pope Francis' forthcoming visit to Mongolia signifies his unwavering commitment to reaching even the most remote and marginalized communities. Despite the small number of Catholics in Mongolia, the pope's visit serves as a demonstration of his love and support for all individuals on their faith journey. Through his interfaith initiatives and the inauguration of a new Catholic charity house, the pontiff aims to foster unity, dialogue, and compassion among different religious groups. Furthermore, the visit will help the Mongolian Catholic community realize their integral role within the global Catholic Church.
