Missionaries in Mongolia have said locals are “shocked” by Pope Francis’s upcoming Aug. 31-Sept. 4 trip and see it as an opportune time to introduce Catholicism to the former Communist nation, where Catholics are a tiny minority and the faith is relatively unknown.

Newsroom (03/07/2023 08:45, Gaudium Press) Pope Francis’s upcoming visit to Mongolia has generated surprise and interest among the local population. As a majority Buddhist nation, many Mongolians are unfamiliar with the pope and the Catholic faith. The visit is seen as an opportune time to introduce Catholicism to the country, where Catholics make up a tiny minority. The Salesian missionaries in Mongolia view the visit as a chance to engage with the people and raise awareness about the Catholic Church.

Speaking to journalists during a media roundtable, Salesian Father Jaroslav Vracovský, pastor of Shuvuu in Mongolia, said the people “are in shock” over the papal visit.

“We are eager to have this experience, and to have the pope listen to missionaries and meet them face to face. This is our task, to introduce them to what is going on,” Vracovský said, saying he hopes to use the trip as “an occasion to introduce what is going on: Who is the pope, who is this pope? I am using this occasion to introduce what the Catholic Church is. We are looking forward to it.”

Similarly, Father Paul Leung, a Salesian delegate in Mongolia, said it is not only Mongolia’s 1,500 Catholics who are surprised by the papal visit, but everyone is.

“People never thought the pope would visit, they never thought of that, so now they are preparing to meet the Holy Father,” he said, saying Mongolia’s nomadic culture is traditionally “very welcoming,” and people are “eagerly” preparing for the pope’s arrival.

Leung said the papal trip is an important moment for Mongolians, an is “a good opportunity to widen the vision of our Catholics here, because Mongolia is a completely closed country. It is enclosed by Russia and China.”

“It is a really positive thing for the Church here. For Mongolians here, even though they are not faithful, they are surprised and want to know who the Holy Father is…Even some Catholics ask, why is the Holy Father coming, for what purpose? It is a good opportunity to introduce the Catholic Church to them,” he said.

Mongolia has a diverse religious landscape, with Tantric Buddhism being the dominant faith. Atheism, Islam, Shamanism, and Christianity also have smaller percentages of followers. The Catholic Church in Mongolia has around 1,500 local Catholics and a small number of foreigners. The Salesians, numbering around 10, are one of the missionary congregations serving the Catholic community.

While Mongolians generally have a positive view of Russia and a more distant relationship with Ukraine, the Ukrainian war is seen as a distant issue that Mongolians hope will be resolved peacefully. The visit of Pope Francis is expected to focus on pastoral matters rather than political ones, although his message of peace is likely to resonate in the international community.

Regarding relations with other religions, there is generally no conflict, and cooperation exists, especially on social issues. Mongolian Catholics also engage in social service, providing education and assistance to the poor. The Catholic Church in Mongolia aims to promote full human development and accompany people on their faith journey.

The visit of Pope Francis is also seen as an opportunity for Mongolian political leaders to learn more about the Catholic Church. Initially, there was some confusion among government officials about the concept of a Mass, but they have since become more informed. The pope is considered a man of dialogue, peace, and fraternity, and his visit may strengthen cooperation and collaboration between the Vatican and Mongolia.

Overall, the visit of Pope Francis to Mongolia is viewed as a significant event for the country’s Catholic community and an opportunity to raise awareness of the Catholic faith among the wider population. The pastoral focus of the visit aligns with the mission of the Salesian missionaries, who are eager to engage with the people and promote the values of the Catholic Church.

• Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now