Pope Francis has urged Chinese Catholics to be good citizens as he visits Mongolia for the first time since becoming Pope in 2013. The pontiff said the Roman Catholic Church’s mission was not to create divisions, but to build bridges and foster harmony among all people.
During a Mass in the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator, the pontiff also asked Chinese Catholics to be good citizens, and to contribute to the common good of the nation. He reminded his followers that a commitment to the nation is a basic tenant of the Catholic faith.
The occasion marked a special moment in history for relations between Christianity and the nation of Mongolia, which has long been predominantly Buddhist. The Pope also thanked the Mongolian government for its religious freedom and thanked its people for their hospitality.
Francis expressed his admiration for Mongolian culture, which he praised as free from “ethno-cultural divisions,” and praised its leadership for its commitment to a society that is both open and diverse.
The visit was also seen as a message directed to China, where the Catholic Church is often subject to restrictions and limited to state-approved activities. Although the Church is officially banned in mainland China, the Catholic Church is the fastest-growing faith group in the country and has been working to break through the government’s limits in recent years.
The visit comes as China cracks down on other religions, including Islam. Beijing has imposed extreme levels of surveillance in some provinces with predominantly Muslim populations.
Pope Francis praised the Chinese people’s commitment to their faith and their efforts to honor the shared values of humanity. He encouraged the faithful to resist indifference and to remain steadfast in their commitment to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
In his homily, Pope Francis called on all Chinese Catholics to live in harmony with their fellow citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation. He called on Chinese Catholics to bring God’s message of love to all people, to reach out to those in need, and to foster a debt-free life.
Pope Francis’ visit not only reinforces the growing presence of Catholicism in China, but also shows the Church’s commitment to its mission of promoting harmony among all people. The message he gave to Chinese Catholics serves as a powerful reminder to the rest of China of the Catholic Church’s commitment to its global mission.
