Pope Francis to lead interfaith dialogue in Mongolia

There are only about 1,400 Catholics in Mongolia out of a population of 3.3 million people. Only 25 are priests, and only two of those are Mongolian.

Pope Francis will show support for interfaith dialogue on September 3 during his final full day in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, a visit that has seen him seek to build bridges with China.

The morning address, which unites 10 leaders of major religions in Mongolia - a young democracy whose Constitution provides for religious freedom - comes as the 86-year-old pope seeks to tacitly send the message the nation’s neighbours, in particular China, that spirituality is healthy for societies and not a threat.

Also read | Pope Francis lands in Mongolia, home to tiny Catholic flock

During a gathering of Catholic missionaries Saturday at the city’s Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Pope said governments had “nothing to fear” from the Catholic Church.

“Governments and secular institutions have nothing to fear from the Church’s work of evangelisation, for she has no political agenda to advance...” said the pontiff, without specifically mentioning China.

There are only about 1,400 Catholics in Mongolia out of a population of 3.3 million people. Only 25 are priests, and only two of those are Mongolian.

Most Mongolians of faith are Buddhist or practice Shamanism.