Pope Francis asked to pray for his upcoming trip to Mongolia, for the end of the fires in Greece, and also he encouraged not to forget Ukraine, which is still suffering from the ravages of war.
“On Thursday I will leave on a trip of a few days to the heart of Asia, to Mongolia. This is a highly desired visit, which will be the occasion to embrace a Church that is small in number but lively in faith and great in charity”, shared the Holy Father at the conclusion of the Angelus prayer this Sunday at the Vatican.
In Mongolia, the Pope continued, he will meet “a noble, wise people, with a great religious tradition that I will have the honor to meet, especially in the context of an interreligious event.”
“I now wish to address the brothers and sisters of Mongolia, telling them that I am happy to travel to be among you as a brother to all. I thank your authorities for the courteous invitation and all those who, with great effort, are preparing my arrival. I ask everyone to accompany this visit with prayers”, indicated the Holy Father.
In a historic event, Pope Francis will embark on a four-day trip to Mongolia, from August 31 to 4, a nation situated between the powers of China and Russia.
Mongolia is a landlocked country with a population of approximately 3.32 million. Catholics are about 1,300 faithful, a very small fraction of the country’s inhabitants.
“I assure the memory in prayer for the victims of the fires in these days in the northeast of Greece and I express my closeness in solidarity with the Greek people,” said the Holy Father at the end of the Angelus.
According to the European Union, the fires this summer in Greece have been the worst since they have been recorded.
At least 21 people have died since last Saturday, 18 of them illegal immigrants who were found charred in the town of Dadia.
“And we always remain close also to the Ukrainian people, who suffer from the war and suffer so much: Let us not forget Ukraine!” Pope Francis assured.