VATICAN (SE): Following the Angelus on August 20, Pope Francis described his upcoming trip to Mongolia as a “much-desired visit” and an opportunity “to embrace a Church small in numbers but vibrant in faith and great in charity,” Vatican News reported on August 27.
The August 31 to September 4 apostolic journey, with the motto, Hoping Together, seeks to underscore that it is both a pastoral visit and of a state visit.
The pope spoke of Mongolia’s rich “religious tradition,” which he “will have the honour of getting to know especially in the context of an interreligious event.”
Pope Francis expressed his happiness “to be among” the Mongolian people “as a brother for all.”
The pope concluded by thanking the civil authorities of Mongolia for the invitation and those “who with great commitment are preparing for my arrival.”
He said, “I ask all of you to accompany this visit with your prayers.”
