The Holy See Press Office has released the program, logo, and motto (“Hoping Together”) of Pope Francis’s apostolic journey to Mongolia, which will take place August 31-September 4.
The East Asian nation of 3.2 million (map) is 59% Buddhist, 18% ethnic religionist, 5% Muslim, and 2% Christian, with only 1,300 Catholics.
“The presence of the Holy Father represents for this small portion of the People of God a sign of great hope and encouragement and on the other hand the Church that is in Mongolia, with its smallness and marginality, can offer a sign of hope for the universal Church,” the press office stated.
The trip, the Associated Press reported, will be closely watched by Russia and China, which surround Mongolia.