In Mongolia's Steppe Arena, with the small Christian community, Pope Francis presided over the country's first Mass celebrated by a pope.
During his homily, the Pope reflected on the words of the psalm and how it relates to the Mongolese people—whose history contains centuries of nomadic traditions in the dry desert regions of the country.
POPE FRANCIS
The words have a particular resonance in a land like Mongolia: immense, rich in history, a land full of culture, yet also marked by the aridity of the steppe region and the desert. Many of you know both the satisfaction and the fatigue of journeying.
Pope Francis encouraged those present on the Christian path, challenging them to avoid worldliness and material things that do not lead to true happiness.
POPE FRANCIS
This is the truth that Jesus wants us to discover, the truth he wants to reveal to all of you and to this land of Mongolia. You need not be famous, rich or powerful to be happy. No. Only love satisfies our hearts’ thirst, only love heals our wounds, only love brings us true joy.
After the final blessing, the Pope extended a special greeting to all Chinese Christians, joining hands with the Bishop emeritus and current Bishop of Hong Kong. This gesture is important because current China-Vatican relations are delicate.
POPE FRANCIS
These two brother bishops: the emeritus of Hong Kong and the current bishop of Hong Kong. I would like to take advantage of your presence to send warm greetings to the noble people of China. To the entire population, I wish you all the best and go forward. Progress always. And to Chinese Catholics, I ask you to be good Christians and good citizens. Thank you.
This greeting comes after Pope Francis sent a telegram to China thanking the country for being able to fly over it on his way to Mongolia. The current Bishop of Hong Kong, Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, is one of the 21 men who will be made a cardinal on September 30.
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