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[Ulaanbaatar: Pope Francis Concludes Historic Mongolia Trip]
On September 4, Pope Francis wrapped up his historic trip to Mongolia, a journey that garnered international attention due to his efforts to engage with neighboring China on the topic of religious freedom. As the trip came to a close, the pope extended greetings to China during a Mass, referring to its citizens as a “noble” people and urging Chinese Catholics to be both “good Christians and good citizens.” This gesture was met with a positive response from China’s foreign ministry, which expressed a willingness to improve relations with the Vatican.

While Francis’s primary objective was to visit Mongolia’s small Catholic community, his mission also included the inauguration of the House of Mercy on the final day of his five-day visit. Located in the Mongolian capital, this institution offers healthcare services to the most vulnerable members of society, including the homeless, victims of domestic abuse, and migrants. The House of Mercy, initiated by Mongolia’s top Catholic cleric, Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, serves as a coordination hub for Catholic missionary institutions and local volunteers.

During the inaugural ceremony, Pope Francis emphasized that a nation’s progress should not be measured solely by its economic prosperity or investments in armaments. Rather, he underscored the importance of a nation’s ability to provide for the health, education, and overall development of its people. Francis also sought to dispel the misconception that Catholic institutions aim solely to convert individuals to the faith, asserting that caring for others should not be viewed as a means of attracting new followers.

Despite Mongolia’s predominantly Buddhist population of 3.3 million, the country is home to only 1,450 Catholics, a fact that made it possible for nearly the entire Catholic community to gather under one roof with the pope on Sunday. On Monday, as Francis’s motorcade left the House of Mercy, a group of around two dozen Chinese Catholics surrounded the vehicles in hopes of receiving the pope’s blessings. Wearing uniforms that bore the phrase “Love Jesus,” these devotees sang a Christian hymn dedicated to the pope in Mandarin and attempted to breach security to reach his car. One woman managed to succeed and received a blessing, expressing immense joy and gratitude for the encounter.

China’s close proximity to Mongolia played a significant role throughout the pope’s visit, as he made subtle references and appeals to the neighboring superpower. The Vatican has had a contentious relationship with China’s ruling Communist Party, which has been implementing a policy of “Sinicisation” to limit foreign influence on religion and tighten control by the party. While China’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, the government has increasingly restricted religions perceived to challenge the authority of the Communist Party. In fact, in December of the previous year, the United States designated China, along with other nations such as Iran and Russia, as a country of particular concern for severe violations of religious freedom.

The Vatican’s landmark 2018 agreement with China on the appointment of bishops has encountered challenges, with the Vatican accusing Beijing of violating the agreement multiple times. In using the phrase “good Christians and good citizens,” the pope employed a common Vatican rhetoric aimed at persuading communist governments that granting greater freedom to Catholics would contribute to the social and economic progress of their countries.

Overall, Pope Francis’s journey to Mongolia served as an opportunity to foster dialogue and bridge the gap between the Vatican and China, particularly in the realm of religious freedom. By extending greetings to China and emphasizing the importance of caring for others, the pope hopes to contribute to a more harmonious relationship between the two entities. The AI legalese decoder can aid in interpreting and analyzing the legal implications associated with religious freedom and diplomatic relations, supporting policymakers and legal experts in navigating complex international dynamics.

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