Catholic Church in Mongolia

With only 1,450 Catholics, Mongolia has one of the tiniest Catholic communities in the world.

The Latest

Pope Francis gave a special message to Chinese Catholics at the end of his Mass in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Sept. 3, 2023.

Pope Francis gives a glimpse into Vatican-China deal on appointment of Chinese bishops

Sep 4, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope said that there is a joint commission between the Chinese government and the Holy See on the appointment... Read more

Cardinal Giorgio Marengo was one of the first to welcome Pope Francis to Mongolia on Sept. 1, 2023. Marengo is an Italian cardinal who has served as a missionary in Mongolia for nearly 20 years. He is the current apostolic prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and the world’s youngest cardinal.

Live Updates: Pope Francis trip to Mongolia 2023

Sep 3, 2023

By CNA Staff

Live updates following Pope Francis’ trip to Mongolia from Aug. 31–Sept. 4. Read more

Pope Francis meets with local priests and religious of Mongolia, which includes only 25 priests (19 religious and six diocesan), 33 women religious, and one bishop — Cardinal Giorgio Marengo — in Ulaanbaatar’s Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul on Sept. 2, 2023.

Pope Francis tells Mongolia’s tiny Catholic community that ‘God loves littleness’

Sep 2, 2023

By Rachel Thomas

“Brothers and sisters, do not be concerned about small numbers, limited success, or apparent irrelevance,” Pope Francis assured missionaries in... Read more

Schoolchildren eagerly wait for the pope’s arrival outside of the apostolic prefecture on Sept. 1, 2023, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where Pope Francis will be staying for the duration of his four-day visit to the country.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis’ first day in Mongolia

Sep 1, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis received an enthusiastic welcome to Mongolia on Friday morning after a nearly 10-hour flight on the papal plane. Read more

Upon his arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport on Sept. 1, 2023, Pope Francis was welcomed with a bowl of Aaruul, dried curds which are a traditional food of Mongolian nomadic peoples.

Pope Francis becomes first pope in history to set foot in Mongolia

Aug 31, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope told journalists aboard the papal plane that to visit Mongolia is to encounter “a small people, but a... Read more

Pope Francis greets airline workers as he boards the papal plane for his four-day trip to Mongolia on Aug. 31, 2023.

Pope sends telegram to China as plane flies over Chinese airspace

Aug 31, 2023

By Tina Dennelly

Pope Francis will become the first pope in the history of the Catholic Church to visit Mongolia. Read more

Father Andrew Tin Nguyen, parish priest of Mary Help of Christians in Darkhan, Mongolia, with Tsetsegee, who found a statue of the Blessed Mother in a landfill, which will be blessed by Pope Francis during his trip to Mongolia from Aug. 31–Sept. 4, 2023.

How Blessed Mary found her way to Mongolia

Aug 31, 2023

By Alexey Gotovskiy

Upon arriving in Mongolia, Pope Francis will bless the Statue of Our Lady, known as “Heavenly Mother.” Read more

Pope Francis gives the weekly Angelus address on Aug. 27, 2023.

Pope Francis asks for prayers as he travels to Mongolia, ‘the heart of Asia’

Aug 28, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope will travel approximately 5,600 miles to Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4. Read more

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5 things to know about Mongolia as Pope Francis prepares for his trip

Aug 28, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The pope will travel to Mongolia Aug. 31–Sept. 4 to visit one of the smallest Christian communities in the world. Read more

This picture taken on Jan. 16, 2022, shows a man watching smoke hanging over houses on a polluted day in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia.

Pope Francis to visit one of the world’s most polluted capitals this week

Aug 28, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis is likely to make “care for our common home” a key theme of his Mongolian trip this week... Read more

Mongolia is a democratic country sandwiched between the authoritarian powers of Russia and China.

What Pope Francis’ trip to Mongolia could mean for Vatican relations with Russia and China

Aug 27, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope’s upcoming trip could have geopolitical implications beyond the country’s small population of Catholics. Read more

Italian Cardinal Giorgio Marengo takes possession of his titular parish in Rome in May 2023.

Cardinal in Mongolia dreams of establishing a Catholic monastery to advance evangelization

Jul 23, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Giorgio Marengo has taken on the challenge of bringing the Gospel to a country with one of the smallest... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 22, 2023.

Pope Francis to travel to Mongolia on Aug. 31

Jun 3, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The trip will make Pope Francis the first pope to visit the Asian country that shares a 2,880-mile border with... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 22, 2023.

Pope Francis says he will travel to Mongolia

Apr 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

A trip to Mongolia would make Pope Francis the first pope to visit the Asian country that shares a 2,880-mile... Read more

Pope Francis met with an interreligious delegation including leaders of Buddhism in Mongolia on May 28, 2022

Pope Francis invites Mongolian Buddhists and Catholics to work together to end violence

May 28, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

"We have a duty to arouse in humanity the will to renounce violence and build a culture of peace," Pope... Read more

Outskirts of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 2013.

Mongolian bishop details steady growth of local Church

May 22, 2014

Bishop Wenceslao Padilla, prefect of Ulaanbaatar – the local Church covering all of Mongolia – spoke with Aid to the... Read more