When Pope Benedict XVI and Mongolia’s President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj met in the Vatican, October 17, they discussed the good state of relations between Mongolia and the Holy See and the political situation in Asia, with special reference to the importance of dialogue between religions and cultures for the promotion of peace and justice. (Gerard O’Connell, Vatican Insider)

They also talked about the positive “understanding and cooperation” that exists between the tiny Catholic Church and State in the field of education and social care in this large Asian country, three times the size of France, landlocked between Russia and China, with a population of 3 million people.

“Welcome, Mr. President”, the Pope said as he warmly greeted the Mongolian leader with a smile at the entrance to his private library. “Thank you for receiving me, Your Holiness”, responded the 48-year old Harvard-educated president. “This is a great place!” he added with a gesture of his hand, referring to the Apostolic Palace.

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Mongolia established full diplomatic relations with the Holy See in 1992, two years after gaining independence from the Soviet Union. Then, in July 1992, the Government agreed to allow Catholic missionaries back into the country after a long absence, and by 2010, according to the Vatican’s Yearbook (“Annuario Pontificio”), there were 535 Catholics in this vast land, served by 19 priests from religious orders as well as 27 men religious and 44 women religious.

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Even though the Catholic Church is a tiny flock in this majority Buddhist country (over 53% of Mongolians are Tibetan Buddhists, 5% are Muslim, and 2% Christian), nevertheless it enjoys full religious freedom, a right that is enshrined in the country’s Constitution. Led by Bishop Wenceslao Padilla, the Filipino-born Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, the Church is active in education and health care through its four parishes. It is much appreciated for its contribution in these fields in this land where the government has made education a top priority, and which has suffered much from unemployment and poverty after independence, though its future now looks much brighter thanks to the discovery of vast, untapped mineral reserves in the country.

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Pope’s warm meeting with President of Mongolia (Vatican Insider)