02/09/2023 9:30 pm (current 02/09/2023 9:30 pm)
Pope continues visit to Mongolia ©APA/AFP
Pope Francis continues his visit to Mongolia on Sunday and will meet with representatives of various religious denominations. The East Asian country is religiously influenced by Buddhism and shamanism. At the morning meeting (10:00 local time/4:00 CEST) at the Hun Theater near the Mongolian capital, the pastor of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ulan Bator is expected alongside the other religious leaders.
A holy mass is scheduled in the afternoon (4pm local time). The head of the Catholic Church will celebrate with around 2,000 people at the Steppe Arena in Ulan Bator – in addition to Mongolian Catholics, foreign pilgrims are also expected from China.
Pope Francis will remain in Mongolia until Monday. It is the first visit of a pope to the country. The pontiff mainly wants to strengthen the small Catholic community there with almost 1,500 members and promote interreligious dialogue.