(ANS – Ulanbaatar) – Pope Francis left Mongolia at 12.03 local time and is scheduled to return to Italy this afternoon, 4 September, at the Leonardo da Vinci airport in Rome-Fiumicino. For the Holy Father, these were days full of commitments which allowed him to embrace the different realities of the Mongolian Church and society and to meet the authorities of the country and local religious leaders.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - September 2023 – Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey to Mongolia, the first by a Pontiff in this country, has come to an end. The Holy Father left at about 12 noon (06.03 in Italy) from the Chinggis Khan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar. During these days, the Holy Father had the opportunity to meet the authorities of the country in the capital Ulaanbaatar and the small local Christian community at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, as well as the local religious leaders and the workers at the "House of Mercy". In taking his leave, Pope Francis thanked Mongolia for its generous hospitality. Then, in a telegram to President Khürel Sükh Ukhnaa, he assured him of his prayers for the peace, unity and prosperity of the nation.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - September 2023 - Pope Francis began the 43rd apostolic journey of his pontificate in Mongolia under the motto "Hoping together". He is the first Pontiff to visit the country. The Pope was officially welcomed at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Batmunkh Battsetsege; by Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar; by a woman in traditional dress who offered the Holy Father a cup of dry yoghurt, a typical gift of the country; by the Guard of Honour. Also present was Bishop José Luis Mumbiela Sierra, Bishop of the Holy Trinity Diocese in Almaty, in his capacity as President of the Central Asian Bishops' Conference. After the welcoming ceremony, the greeting of the official delegations and a brief conversation with the Minister, Pope Francis moved on to the Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar, where he was welcomed by some children who presented him with flowers, and by a group of elderly and sick people.
(ANS Ulanbaatar) – From 1 to 4 September 2003 Pope Francis will be in Mongolia for his apostolic visit. The media will focus on the public events. Behind the scenes, many have been working since the Pope announced his visit to the "land of the eternal blue sky". Many Salesian Cooperators, Salesians of Don Bosco and Daughters of Mary Help of Christians are involved in these preparations, together with other religious of the Apostolic Prefecture. Among these there are also a Salesian brother and an FMA sister.
(ANS – Vatican City) – The director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni, presented the 43rd apostolic trip of Pope Francis, which will be held in Mongolia from 31 August to 4 September. The first Pope in this country sandwiched between Russia and China, he will meet the representatives of the institutions and of the Church that today experiences its origins after being "reborn" in 1992. Central will be the Mass in the Steppe Arena, which will be attended by 1,500 local faithful plus a thousand from neighbouring countries, as well being an interreligious event
The 43rd apostolic journey of Pope Francis to Mongolia begins today, 31 August. It is the first time that a Pope has travelled to this Asian country where only 0.02% of the population professes to be Catholic, but where the Church is extensively active in the social sphere.
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Democratic Republic of Congo – Fr Owoudou on the situation in the eastern parts of the country: “No matter how dark the night may seem, dawn will inevitably come”
(ANS - Goma) - During his latest phase of the Extraordinary Visit to the "Mary Most Holy Assumption" Province of Central Africa (AFC), Fr. Alphonse Owoudou, Councillor for the Africa Madagascar Region, conducted an interview with the magazine "JAMBO VIJANA," representing the youth engaged in the Salesian works of the Province's Eastern Delegation. Addressing the ongoing violence and conflicts in the region, Fr. Owoudou expressed hope, saying: "No matter the length of the night, dawn will inevitably come."
EDITORIAL
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“Speaking with the Heart”: A great Antidote for the Ills of today’s world
‘Revolutionize the world with your kindness, by speaking with your heart’, is the dream that Pope Francis envisions for humanity through his 57th World Communication Day message, that falls on this Ascension Sunday, 21st May 2023. ‘Speak with your heart in truth and charity’, and this is the best antidote that can cure the ills of today’s society.
EVENTS
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Italy – "Labs To Future": the final event of the "Labs To Learn" project in Valdocco
(ANS – Turin) – The final event of the "Labs to Learn" project was held on Tuesday, 5 March 2024, entitled "Labs To Future: The path – The results – The challenges" . The project was selected by the "Con i Bambini" social enterprise within the framework of the Foundation for the Fight against Child Educational Poverty and came into being with the intention of combating early school leaving and preventing educational poverty, increasing the number of young people with difficulties who fulfil their school obligation, access higher education and/or job placement, and opening the way for personal growth according to their inclinations and aspirations.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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Peru – Centenary of the High Altar of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima
(ANS – Lima) – The centenary of the consecration of the high altar in the Crypt of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Lima was celebrated on 19 March, on the feast of St Joseph and in homage to Fr José Calasanz Marqués, then Provincial of the Salesians in Peru and Bolivia – now recognised as Blessed by the Church – on account of his name.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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DREAMS THAT KEEP COMING TRUE!
THE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Card. Ángel Fernández Artime, SDB
When reflecting on all this, I feel I have a little authority to say: “Dear Don Bosco, your Dream is still VERY ALIVE.”