Today's news: In Nepal, the most violent earthquake since 2015 causes hundreds of deaths, but the toll could rise as whole areas are unreachable; In China and Mongolia, the effects of climate change are being felt: from 30 degrees to 0 in a few days; Scam allowing Russian businessmen and officials to circumvent Western sanctions uncovered.
Before departing Ulaanbaatar, the pontiff blessed the House of Mercy where Mongolia’s small Church will welcome the marginalised. This will be the legacy of the pope’s historic visit and provide an opportunity to “reject certain myths” about charitable work. Christians do not engage in social outreach to proselytise; “only love can overcome selfishness and keep this world going.”
Fr. Gianni Criveller, PIME missionary and sinologist, comments on the words addressed by the pope yesterday to the Chinese people from Mongolia, with Card. Tong and Cardinal-designate Chow. "There is no contradiction between being good Christians and good citizens when there is freedom. Now it is up to Beijing to follow up with concrete steps on issues such as the permanent form of dialogue urged by Card. Parolin or the peace mission of Card. Zuppi."
The small Church of Mongolia that is currently meeting Pope Francis is closely connected to the Diocese of Ningxia in China, home until three years ago of the only Mongolian (underground) bishop in the history of the Catholic Church. Known in Chinese as Ma Zhongmu, he was jailed for 11 years for refusing to join the Patriotic Association. After the Cultural Revolution, he sought out each one of his scattered flocks. He translated the Bible and the Roman Missal into Mongolian.
At the interfaith meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Francis stressed sharing differences for the good of all. “There can be no mixing, then, of religious beliefs and violence, of holiness and oppression, of religious traditions and sectarianism.” In his address, he also quoted from Buddha and Gandhi. “And to Chinese Catholics: I ask you to be good Christians and good citizens.” Inspired by Fr Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, he mentioned the desert of Ordos, home to ethnic Mongolians in the People's Republic of China.
In the Mongolian capital, Francis praised Mongolia's non-nuclear status in his address to local authorities. In a city shaken by recent protests over a coal scandal, the pontiff spoke out against corruption "that impoverishes entire countries". In the cathedral, he met with the small local Church, urging simplicity and closeness to the people. Numbers and success are “not how God works.” He also blessed a statue of the Immaculate Conception found in a landfill, a great sign.
