Cardinal Giorgio Marengo was one of the first to welcome Pope Francis to Mongolia on Sept. 1, 2023. Marengo is an Italian cardinal who has served as a missionary in Mongolia for nearly 20 years. He is the current apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and the world’s youngest cardinal. / Credit: Vatican Media
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Sep 1, 2023 / 12:10 pm (CNA).
Pope Francis will be visiting Mongolia from Aug. 31–Sept. 4. Mongolia is one of the world’s largest landlocked nations, sandwiched between its much larger and more powerful neighbors, China and Russia. It has one of the smallest Christian communities in the world with 1,450 Catholics.
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Sept. 2, 2023
Pope Francis arrives to the official welcome ceremony.
Pope Francis arrives to the official welcome ceremony at Mongolia’s Sukhbaatar Square. #PopeInMongolia
📸 Vatican Media pic.twitter.com/zWwglvma3v— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) September 2, 2023
People begin to gather in Mongolia’s Sukhbaatar Square for Pope Francis’ official welcome ceremony.
Good morning from Mongolia’s Sukhbaatar Square!
We are awaiting the pope’s arrival at the official welcome ceremony.
The Mongolian Honor Guard is standing watch in front of the State Palace, where Pope Francis will be meeting the president and prime minister. #PopeInMongolia pic.twitter.com/ZkjpZlYCMB
— Courtney Mares (@catholicourtney) September 2, 2023
Tuvshin, 38, a Christian from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia is waiting to see the pope. He said that Mongolia is in “a tough neighborhood between Russia and China.”
“So I think he [Pope Francis] has much bigger reasons to make this pilgrimage to Mongolia.” #PopeinMongolia pic.twitter.com/PP8gJfYUIK
— Courtney Mares (@catholicourtney) September 2, 2023
Sept. 1, 2023
Pope Francis received an enthusiastic welcome to Mongolia after a nearly 10-hour flight on the papal plane. Here are some pictures from his first day in the country.
Two little girls proudly show off their rosaries given to them by Pope Francis.
After dancing for Pope Francis outside the place where he will stay while in Mongolia, these two girls were so proud to show off the rosary beads given to them by the Pope. They couldn’t stop smiling. #PopeInMongolia pic.twitter.com/rdjcNN4laA
— Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) September 1, 2023
A look at Mongolian culture at a traditional “Besreg Naadam” festival.
A taste of Mongolian culture at a traditional “Besreg Naadam” festival. #PopeInMongolia pic.twitter.com/QmGmEIRSk6
— Courtney Mares (@catholicourtney) September 1, 2023
Pope Francis made history Friday morning when he became the first pope to travel to Mongolia, the world’s most sparsely populated sovereign country.
Read the full article here:
📹VIDEO | Pope Francis arrived in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He was welcomed by a young woman who offered him a cup of traditional Mongolian dried curds. He is the first pope to visit this vast landlocked nation, sandwiched between China and Russia. #PopeInMongolia pic.twitter.com/6KkWq6Z1FA
— EWTN News (@EWTNews) September 1, 2023
Aug. 31, 2023
Pope Francis sent a telegram to China President Xi Jinping and the people of China as the papal plane entered Chinese airspace on its way to Mongolia.
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📹VIDEO | Pope Francis is heading to Mongolia to meet with one of the smallest Catholic communities in the world that consists of only 2 native priests, 8 parishes, a challenging geography, social problems, but a lot of hope. #PopeInMongolia pic.twitter.com/5MXZXrVXKN
— EWTN News (@EWTNews) August 31, 2023
Lovely to receive a public sms announcement from the Mongolian phone company as the Pope lands in the country. Sent to all phones on the network. #PopeInMongolia pic.twitter.com/zKsgCH7RRv
— Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) September 1, 2023
Aug. 30, 2023
As is customary before any papal trip, Pope Francis spent time in prayer before the icon of the Salus Populi Romani at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
This evening, as is customary before any papal trip, Pope Francis spent time in prayer before the icon of the Salus Populi Romani at the Basilica of St. Mary Major where he entrusted her with his upcoming Apostolic Journey to Mongolia.
Credit: Vatican Media pic.twitter.com/l52bBr7nsl— Catholic News Agency (@cnalive) August 30, 2023