In the center of Asia

"The world is marred by too many wars." This is the cry of pain launched by the Pope during his apostolic visit to Mongolia, which lasted from 31 August to 4 September. We must avoid any "confusion between beliefs, violence and conflicts", he says. «In this hour of history», torn and bloodied by clashes, «our responsibility is great. Our behavior is called upon to confirm in practice the teachings we profess; he cannot contradict them, becoming a source of scandal." In other words, no “in the name of any god” promotion of terrorism and aggression. Inside the Hun Theatre, 13 kilometers from the capital Ulaanbaatar, Francis takes part in an ecumenical and interreligious meeting with representatives of the confessions present in Mongolia. Bergoglio's appeal is aimed at every faith. He warns the bishop of Rome: «Who, more than believers, is called to work for the harmony of all? Closure, unilateral imposition, fundamentalism and ideological forcing ruin brotherhood, fuel tensions and compromise peace."

In this remote building the Pontiff also expresses a warning to the heads of state and government of the planet: if those who lead the nations "chose the path of dialogue with others, they would contribute in a decisive way to the end of wars who continue to cause suffering to many people."
A few hours later, the tiny but "lively" Mongolian Catholic community, around 1,500 faithful, led by the apostolic prefect Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, meets at mass in the Steppe Arena. There are more than 2 thousand people in the ice palace, who have also come from various Asian countries, including China and Russia.
Then, the final surprise: Francis takes the bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, Cardinal John Tong Hon, and the current bishop, the cardinal-designate Stephen Chow, by the hand and says: «I would like to take advantage of their presence to send a warm greeting to the noble Chinese people. I wish all the people the best, and to move forward, always progress. And I ask Chinese Catholics to be good Christians and good citizens." It is the culmination of the various benevolent, diplomatic and reassuring messages sent by the Pope towards Beijing during the days of the trip "in the heart of Asia", on the border with Russia and the Land of the Dragon.


Domenico Agasso
NP October 2023