Pope Francis, the head of the Vatican City State, concluded a momentous official visit to Mongolia from September 1-4, 2023, following an invitation from Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa. His Holiness embarked on a charter flight from Rome on August 31, touching down the next day at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport near Ulaanbaatar, the country's capital.

I had the privilege of being among a group of 70 international journalists accompanying His Holiness throughout his visit. Engaging in all scheduled events and even securing an interview with the Pope aboard his return flight, I gathered notes and observations that capture the essence of this historic occasion.

As the plane ascended to its designated altitude, Pope Francis made a memorable appearance in the media section, graciously acknowledging everyone while strolling through the aisles. Taking a brief pause in front of the assembled journalists, he shared an introspective remark: “Something inside me says that going to Mongolia was like going to a few people on the big land. Mongolia seems endlessly large country. It will help us to understand what a big tranquility means. We will sense it and will understand Mongolia. I dare say that it will be good to listen to Borodin’s music that expresses the breadth of steppes.” The Pope was referring to the symphonic poem titled, “In the Steppes of Central Asia” composed by Alexander Borodin in 1880, which he dedicated to Franz Liszt.

As our aircraft descended, the expansive green steppes beneath the clear, azure sky seemed to envelop us in an aura of timeless tranquillity. Welcoming Pope Francis, Mongolians extended their hospitality with state honours, laying out the red carpet upon his arrival.

Reflecting on the historical past:

The following day, "Ikh Mongol" hall of the State Palace, Pope Francis addressed a gathering comprising dignitaries, civil society representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps. In his address, he delved into history, recalling a significant event:

“Exactly 777 years ago, during the transition from August to September in the year 1246, Friar John of Pian del Carpine, acting as an envoy for Pope Innocent IV, visited Guyug, the third Mongol Emperor. Friar John presented an official letter from the Pope. Subsequently, a response bearing the seal of the Grand Khan, inscribed in traditional Mongol scripts and translated into various languages, was dispatched. This very letter is preserved within the Vatican Library. Today, I am honored to present an authenticated copy, crafted using cutting-edge techniques to ensure the utmost quality. May this serve as a testament to an ancient friendship, one that continues to flourish and renew itself over time.”

About the current Mongolia:

Talking about Mongolia, the pope said:

“Mongolia with its broad network of diplomatic relations, its active membership in the United Nations, its efforts to promote human rights and peace, plays a significant role in the heart of the great Asian continent and on the international scene. I would also like to mention your determination to halt nuclear proliferation and to present yourselves before the world as a country free of nuclear weapons. Mongolia is a democratic nation that not only pursues a peaceful foreign policy, but also proposes to play an important role for world peace. It is also significant that, capital punishment no longer appears in your judicial system.”

To global audience:

“… the holistic vision of the Mongolian shamanic tradition, combined with the respect for all living beings inherited from Buddhist philosophy, can contribute significantly to the urgent and no longer deferrable efforts to protect and preserve planet Earth.

May Heaven grant that today, on this earth devastated by countless conflicts, there be a renewal, respectful of international laws, of the conditions of what was once the pax mongolica, the absence of conflicts.

In the words of one of your (Mongolian) proverbs, “the clouds pass away, but the sky remains”. May the dark clouds of war be dispelled, swept away by the firm desire for a universal fraternity wherein tensions are resolved through encounter and dialogue, and the fundamental rights of all people are guaranteed! Here, in this country so rich in history and open to the sky, let us implore this gift from on High, and together let us strive to build a future of peace.”

On religious freedom:

“Raising our eyes to heaven – the eternal blue sky that you have always venerated – means persevering in an attitude of docile openness to religious teachings. A profound spiritual sensitivity belongs to the very fiber of your cultural identity, and it is proper that Mongolia should be a symbol of religious freedom.

Your ancient leaders “demonstrated an uncommon ability to integrate different voices and experiences, also from the religious standpoint.

A spirit of reverence and inclusivity resonated in the acknowledgment of various sacred traditions, evident in the preservation of diverse places of worship, among which a Christian site stands in the ancient capital of Karakorum. This appreciation paved the way for the constitutional embrace of freedom of thought and religion. Mongolia, having peacefully shed an atheistic ideology that sought to eradicate religion, recognizing it as an obstacle to progress, now upholds and respects the paramount importance of harmonious collaboration among adherents of different faiths. Each individual perspective contributes to the ethical and spiritual evolution of societies.

In this context, the Mongolian Catholic community eagerly continues its meaningful contributions. Over thirty years ago, within a ger, the Catholic community commenced its worship, symbolizing a significant beginning. The current Cathedral, situated in this illustrious city, echoes the structural resemblance of a ger—a poignant testament to the community's journey and evolution.”

To Mongolians:

“The solemn grandeur of the countless natural phenomena that surround you has given rise to a sense of wonder, which instils simplicity and frugality, a preference for the essential and a capacity for detachment from what is not.

Here I think of the threat represented by the consumerist spirit that nowadays, in addition to creating great injustices, leads to an individualistic mindset that cares little for others and for sound established traditions. When religions remain grounded in their original spiritual patrimony, and are not corrupted by sectarian deviations, they prove to be trustworthy supports in the construction of healthy and prosperous societies, in which believers work to ensure that peaceful coexistence and political foresight are placed increasingly at the service of the common good.

At the same time, they also represent a safeguard against the insidious threat of corruption, which effectively represents a serious menace to the development of any human community; corruption is the fruit of a utilitarian and unscrupulous mentality that has impoverished whole countries. It is a sign of a vision that fails to look up to the sky and flees the vast horizons of fraternity, becoming instead self-enclosed and concerned with its own interests alone.

In contrast, many of your ancient leaders taught you to keep your gaze fixed on high and on the vastness of the landscape.

The fact that the empire could embrace such distant and varied lands over the centuries bears witness to the remarkable ability of your ancestors to acknowledge the outstanding qualities of the peoples present in its immense territory and to put those qualities at the service of a common development. This model should be valued and re-proposed in our own day.”

In summary, the Pope stated: “Be like the sky,” echoing the sentiments of Dashbalbar Ochirbat, a renowned Mongolian poet.

On the return flight:

On the return flight to Rome aboard the Pope's plane, I had the opportunity to inquire about the primary objective of His Holiness' visit to Mongolia and his overall satisfaction with the outcomes achieved.

Pope Francis revealed that the idea to visit Mongolia was rooted in his contemplation of the small Catholic community there. His travels aim not only to connect with Catholic communities but also to engage in dialogue with the history, culture, and mysticism intrinsic to each populace. He emphasized the distinction between evangelization and proselytism, asserting that while proselytism restricts, true faith flourishes through attraction, as emphasized by Pope Benedict. Evangelization involves dialogue with culture and the inculturation of Gospel values within the context of a community's culture—an antithesis to religious colonization.

For Pope Francis, the journey to Mongolia was a means to intimately understand its people, engage in meaningful dialogue, embrace their culture, and support the Church's journey with profound respect for both the people and their cultural heritage. His satisfaction with the visit was evident.

When asked about Ulaanbaatar potentially serving as a platform for international dialogue amid the contemporary conflict between civilizations, Pope Francis expressed his belief in its potential. He lauded the city's "third-neighbour mystique," acknowledging its unique position as the capital of a landlocked country positioned between the powerful nations of Russia and China.

Pope Francis admired Ulaanbaatar's inclination to engage with its "third neighbors," not in disregard of Russia and China—both of which Mongolia maintains positive relations with—but out of a universal longing to share its values globally while embracing and learning from others' values through dialogue.

He highlighted the historical misconception of exploration being conflated with colonialism or dominance, contrasting it with Mongolia's philosophy of seeking dialogue rather than dominance—a philosophy he found enriching and described as the "richness" of Mongolia's unique perspective on the world stage.

In a groundbreaking moment, the Roman Pope made history by visiting Mongolia, introducing its people, culture, traditions, and ancient history to the global Catholic community of 1.4 billion-strong believers..

During his visit, he affirmed Mongolia's commitment to freedom of speech, religion, and human rights, and acknowledged the Mongolian people's dedication to these fundamental values. Highlighting Mongolia's historical acceptance of diverse ideologies and religious beliefs, the Pope emphasized the nation's legacy of fostering peaceful coexistence among various nations over centuries.

Addressing contemporary challenges faced by Mongolia, His Holiness offered insights on potential avenues for their resolution, acknowledging and discussing the hurdles confronting the nation today.

Comparing the planet to a Mongolian ger, a traditional dwelling, His Holiness reminded humanity of the philosophy rooted in mutual respect and living in harmony with nature. He emphasized the intrinsic unity of all people as brothers, encapsulating the sentiment with the phrase "Fratelli Tutti!"* symbolizing solidarity and fraternity among all.

(*Fratelli Tutti - Latin for "Brothers All," a phrase used by Pope Francis to emphasize global solidarity and unity.)