Pope praises Mongolia's 'religious renewal,' commitment to dialogue

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Some 35 years after the fall of Mongolia's communist regime, the revival of religious practices has played a "pivotal role in building a just and cohesive society," Pope Francis said.

Meeting with a delegation of Buddhists from Mongolia Jan. 13, he said that since the 1990s Mongolia "has reclaimed its rich religious heritage while demonstrating its dedication to a successful democratic transition" by "reviving traditional spiritual practices and integrating them into the nation’s development."

Pope Francis visited Mongolia in 2023, becoming the first pope to visit the country.

He also praised Mongolia's "commitment to religious freedom and dialogue among the different religious denominations," which he said has "cultivated a space of mutual respect for all traditions, fostering a society enriched not only by material prosperity but also by values essential to fraternal solidarity."

Just over half of Mongolians are estimated to be Buddhist, according to the country's 2020 census. There are an estimated 42,859 Christians in the country, comprising about 1.3% of the total population.

Geshe Javzandorj, abbot of Gandantegchinlen Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, and Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar, also attended the meeting.

The pope told the delegation that during this time "marked by natural disasters and human conflicts, this Holy Year calls us to the shared goal of building a more peaceful world that fosters harmony among people and with our common home."

"The universal longing for peace challenges all of us to take concrete action," he said. "In a particular way, as religious leaders rooted in our respective teachings, we bear the responsibility of inspiring humanity to renounce violence and embrace a culture of peace."

Pope Francis also said he hoped that the delegation's meeting with the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue would "serve as an opportunity for deepening cooperation in promoting a society founded on dialogue, fraternity, religious freedom, justice and social harmony."

"I encourage you to persevere in fostering these principles and in strengthening relations with the Catholic Church in Mongolia, for the sake of the peace and well-being of all," he said.