Catholic groups express gratitude for pope’s visit to Mongolia

The Asia Pacific groups of the Pax Romana International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS) and the International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA) extend their warmest welcome and attitude to Pope Francis' visit to Mongolia from August 31 to September 4.

The groups stated in their welcome letter their deepest gratitude to the pope for gracing Mongolia with his synodal presence.

They see the Holy Father as a "source and inspiration that will further promote a legacy of sustained tranquility, solidarity, and fraternity in Northeast Asia and strengthen global economic collaboration across the broader spectrum of our conflicted world."

According to IMCS and ICMICA, the presence of the Pope is very important not only for Mongolia but for the whole of Asia. They mentioned the various problems that the continent faces, which include rising tensions in East Asia, particularly in the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan Strait, and territorial disputes in Southeast Asia.

"Your presence in Mongolia holds a special significance, particularly given the escalating political tensions and conflicts in the East Asia region," the letter read. 

The organizations believe that the Holy Father's presence promotes harmony and peace, particularly in the present.

"In these times of heightened need for harmony, your role as an apostolic messenger of peace is more crucial than ever before," they wrote in the letter.

IMCS and ICMICA also applauded the decision to hold World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea.

They believe the second World Youth Day, which will take place in Asia, will be historically significant and extremely beneficial for Mongolia and all of Northeast Asia, proving that it is possible for people from across borders to join together without harboring animosity, hatred, or fear toward one another.

The letter stated that this second World Youth Day in Asia will be a historic moment for Asian youth, particularly Mongolia and Northeast Asia, to demonstrate "that another way is possible, a world of brothers and sisters, where the flags of all peoples fly together, next to each other, without hatred, without fear, without closing up, without weapons!"

The organizations hope the Holy Father's journey to Northeast Asia would restore peace and concord to a region long plagued by international warfare.

."..with hopes of visit to China and North Korea in the not-so-distant future, holds the promise of promoting peace and reconciliation in a region marred by enduring conflicts... By casting a spotlight on these complex geopolitical issues, your presence could catalyze global attention and galvanize collective endeavors, aimed at promoting dialogue to facilitate enduring regional peace and stability," the group said in the statement.

Mongolia has a "rich history of peace and remarkable tolerance," has the "world's oldest continuously existing nomadic culture of living in harmony with the steppes," values the environment, and has no nuclear weapons.

There are a total of an estimated 3.4 million people living there, yet just 1,450 of them, or 0.04%, identify as Catholic.