The Unexpected Visit of the Pope in Mongolia
By Gauthier Gaul-Quiniou
September 2023 has been an intense month for Vatican diplomacy, beginning with a diplomatic visit to Mongolia immediately after World Youth Day in Lisbon. His Holiness then continued his travels, including stops in the Vatican, Italy, and France. From September 1st to 4th, the Pope held meetings with bishops, priests, and local political and religious authorities. After an official welcome by Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, in front of the huge statue of Genghis Khan, the Pope met with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps. On the same day, the Pope met other religious authorities such as the bishops, the priests, the missionaries, and pastoral workers. His journey in Mongolia culminated with an ecumenical and interreligious gathering, a vision he held dear, followed by the organization of a holy mass and the inauguration of the "House of Mercy”.
However, the first question that may arise would be the unexpectedness of such a choice for the Pope. Indeed, the Catholic population of Mongolia is relatively small, with only 1,400 Catholics living in the steppes of Mongolia. Therefore, why would the Pope visit such a small community? The country is not known for its industry, economy, or even diplomacy. Indeed, most of its inhabitants still live the traditional Mongolian way of life, and most of its exports are based on coal mining.
A visit with significant messages addressed toward both national and international communities
First of all, the Pope delivered several speeches that reinforced some of his previous positions. Among them, the most noteworthy is his emphasis on the significance of environmental protection and caring for the Earth. Indeed, the country contributes to a large amount of emissions and pollution due to its coal industry and daily consumption patterns. The 3 billion inhabitants of Ulaanbaatar primarily rely on coal bricks which results in significant air pollution within the city. In 2019, thousands of children had to evacuate the capital due to the severe pollution. The fine particles exceeded 3,320 micrograms per m3 in January 2019, approximately 133 times the recommendation of WHO. The Pope's recent message aligns with his previous ones, particularly during the JMJ in Lisbon in June 2023, where he addressed contemporary youth issues, including the internet and, notably, environmental concerns.
The other important message conveyed during his diplomatic visit to Mongolia was his criticisms of corruption in front of the political leaders. This criticism was prompted by the corruption scandals that unfolded in December 2022. The embezzlement of $12.9 billion meant for coal exports to China triggered massive protests in the capital. These protests resulted in numerous arrests, including that of Gankhuyag Battulga, the former president of the national coal company, Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi. Despite the call for the resignation of the prime minister and the government, none of them stepped down. Corruption has deeply entrenched itself in Mongolia, drawing significant ire from the population. Moreover, the protest happened three years after another political turmoil. An independent entity is in charge of controlling and applying the anti-corruption laws, the Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC). However, the IAAC has faced substantial criticism, with its independence greatly compromised by legislation enacted in 2019. The NSC, National Security Council of Mongolia, received permission to dismiss the judges of the institution. While President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh relinquished his power to appoint judges, this practice has not yet been formally codified.
Despite the occasional scandals, protests are not common in the region, except for the one that happened in Kazakhstan in January 2022. Therefore, the Pope's outspoken words to the political elites are made possible either due to his influential position or the country's relatively high level of tolerance and democratic values. Indeed, despite some instability, Mongolia appears to be performing well in terms of democracy, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion. According to Grégory Delaplace, a specialist in religions and of Mongolia, the country enjoys a high degree of tolerance for religion. It's important to acknowledge the significant and predominantly Buddhist Vajrayana community, constituting approximately 53% of the population, with 39% being atheists and 3% Muslim. But it's worth mentioning that Christianity is not a new arrival in the region. Since the 13th century, a small community of Nestorians has influenced Ghengis Khan’s era. Despite a more or less repressive history towards religion, the constitution of 1992 guarantees a clear respect for freedom of religion. Moreover, various branches of Christianity are represented in the country, including Orthodoxy with Russian influence, and Korean Protestantism, mainly concentrated in urban areas where Mongolians often work in Korea. Like all other branches, the number of Catholics is increasing in the country. According to Vatican News, Mongolia had only 14 Catholics in 1995, but that number has grown to 1500. This increase is substantial, and the Pope's unexpected visit was highly appreciated by the small Catholic community in the country.
The other significant symbol of the visit was the location. Indeed, Mongolia was a satellite of the USSR until the democratic revolution in 1990, leading to a multiparty democracy. Its political system contrasts with the regimes of its neighbours, making it more attractive. While Mongolia maintains political ties with both China and Russia, it's worth noting that Mongolia abstained from voting to condemn Russian aggression in Ukraine, similar to Kazakhstan. The visit of the Pope then had to do with Mongolian political relations as a whole; one primary concern was the visa issue faced by many missionaries in Mongolia. Mongolia only provides short-term visas to missionaries, thus necessitating their return to the Vatican when these visas expire. The Pope tried to solve this problem, as well as the requirement of having four locals employed for every missionary.
In addition to his numerous speeches and messages to the community, the Pope also inaugurated the "House of Mercy" in the capital towards the end of his trip. This facility is intended to welcome individuals facing domestic violence, migrants, and those experiencing homelessness. The need for such a facility is evident for several reasons. First, the country grapples with a large number of domestic violence, according to both the Vatican and international institutions. 1 in 3 women experience abuse, according to The International Development Law Organization (IDLO). The country has witnessed a significant internal migration trend in recent years, particularly during the harsh Mongolian winters. To escape the extreme cold, which can plummet to -40 degrees Celsius, some nomads prefer to gather in the capital city. However, due to economic constraints, coal bricks are used for heating. This practice, similar to its prevalence in Beijing among the Chinese population, causes disastrous air pollution, exacerbated by the geographical locations of both Beijing and Ulaanbaatar. As often happens, ecological issues are intertwined with social causes. Many urban residents in the capital criticize the migrants for gathering in slums and contributing to pollution in the city. The creation of the "House of Mercy" is a well-aligned response to address the needs of the population, given these interconnected challenges.
A visit fix in a coherent international policy
This coherence is also evident in the geopolitics of the Pope. During one of his speeches, he extended greetings to all the countries he flew by during his visit, including China. During this address, he encouraged the Chinese Catholic community to be both "good Christians and good citizens." Although the Pope said that the Church “has no political agenda”, the use of symbols and his openness to different religions send a clear message to the regional community. The choice of Mongolia, a close neighbour of China, where a significant Mongolian population resides in Inner Mongolia,, along with the messages of peace and acceptance of different religions, is significant. The current Pope tries to unite the different branches of Christianity. He managed to unite the clandestine and the official Catholics Churches in China through an agreement in 2018. However, this agreement was not renewed by China in 2022, and they chose their own cardinal instead. One might wonder if the diplomatic visit of the Pope to Mongolia was, therefore, primarily intended for Mongolia. Given the unexpected and brief nature of his visit to this location, it's possible that the Pope is also simultaneously making efforts to adapt to and engage with China, which is one of his prominent goals.
Finally, the diplomatic agenda of the Pope is evidenced by his messages, but also by his previous and future diplomatic agenda. The Pope has already been to South Korea in 2014, to Kazakhstan in 2022 etc. He refused to visit disputed territories or answer contention questions, such as Taiwan and refused to meet with the Tibetan Lama in 2014. He was also silent on the words of former Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun, who committed to upholding freedom in Hong Kong. These symbols are explicitly made for the benefit of regimes in Asia that fear having their order challenged by religions, as François Danjou put it.
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