Pope Extols Mongolia’s Long-Standing Religious Tolerance Since the Era of Genghis Khan During Inaugural Visit

Pope Francis commenced his unprecedented papal journey to Mongolia on Saturday by lauding the nation’s historical commitment to religious freedom, a tradition that can be traced back to its founder, Genghis Khan. The Pope initiated his visit with an urgent call for peace and a stern warning against the pervasive danger of corruption.

Meeting with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh within the confines of a traditional Mongolian yurt, erected inside the presidential palace, Pope Francis inscribed a message in the official guestbook. He characterized Mongolia as “a nation both youthful and ancient, simultaneously modern and steeped in tradition,” and presented himself as a messenger of peace.

“May the expansive clear sky, under which the Mongolian land thrives, light up new avenues of mutual respect and unity,” he penned.

Pope Francis aims to engage with Mongolia’s nascent Catholic community, which numbers approximately 1,450. Additionally, his visit serves as a diplomatic outreach in a region where the Vatican has often found itself at odds with neighboring Russia to the north and China to the south.

Though Christianity has existed in the geographical area for centuries, the Catholic Church secured its official presence in Mongolia only after the country transitioned away from a Soviet-aligned communist regime in 1992 and formally adopted religious freedom in its constitution.

In his public statements, Pope Francis celebrated Mongolia’s enduring culture of religious freedom, remarking that such inclusivity existed even during the expansive rule of the Mongol Empire. At its zenith, this empire extended as far west as Hungary and remains unparalleled as the largest contiguous land empire in global history.

“The ability of your forefathers to incorporate such diverse and distant territories over multiple centuries underscores their exceptional skill in recognizing and harnessing the unique attributes of the various peoples within its extensive domain for collective growth,” said the Pope. “This paradigm merits acknowledgment and emulation in contemporary times.”

Nevertheless, Pope Francis emphasized the pressing necessity to confront corruption, subtly alluding to a recent scandal involving Mongolia’s trade relations with China, which included allegations of the theft of 385,000 tons of coal. In the past December, this issue led hundreds to protest under harsh winter conditions in the capital city.

The Pope cautioned against the risks posed by modern consumerism and its inherent focus on self-interest, stating that religions offer a buffer against “an ego-centric perspective that is indifferent to the welfare of others and the sanctity of long-standing traditions.”

“Religious values also act as a bulwark against the insidious menace of corruption, a phenomenon that imperils the progress of any community,” he added. “Corruption emerges from a self-serving and mercenary mindset that has depleted entire nations. It is symptomatic of a worldview that neglects broader fraternal concerns, focusing solely on individual gains.”

In alignment with the Pope’s sentiments, the Mongolian government has declared the year 2023 as an “anti-corruption year,” revealing a five-point plan in collaboration with Transparency International, a global organization combating corruption. Last year, the watchdog ranked Mongolia 116th on its Corruption Perceptions Index.

Later in the day, Pope Francis was scheduled to engage with the clergy and missionaries who serve Mongolia’s small Catholic population at the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in the capital city.

The religion coverage from Big Big News is supported through a collaborative initiative with The Conversation US, funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. The Associated Press holds exclusive responsibility for the content.

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More about Religious Freedom and Peace

• Pope Francis’ Visit to Mongolia: Promoting Peace and Religious Freedom
• Mongolia’s Religious Freedom Heritage
• The Mongol Empire: Historical Background
• Mongolia’s Fight Against Corruption
• Transparency International: Combating Corruption
• Pope Francis’ Message on Religions and Corruption