Discourse of Pope Benedict XVI to the Ambassador of Mongolia at the Presentation of
Credentials
(May 20, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI, while receiving the Ambassador of Mongolia, His
Excellency Luvsantseren Orgil at the Vatican on Thursday, 20th of May,
greeted the nation as it celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its passage to democracy
and expressed his confidence that the great progress made in these years will continue
to bear fruit in the consolidation of a social order which promotes the common good
of the citizens, while furthering their legitimate aspirations for the future. The
Pope also expressed his solidarity and concern for the many individuals and families
who suffered as a result of the harsh winter and the effects of last year’s torrential
rains and flooding. The Pope then said that Religion and culture, as interrelated
expressions of the deepest spiritual aspirations of our common humanity, naturally
serve as incentives for dialogue and cooperation between peoples in the service of
peace and genuine development. The Pope expressed his deep appreciation of the Government
for the constant support in ensuring religious liberty, particularly at the establishment
of a commission, charged with the fair application of law and with protecting the
rights of conscience and free exercise of religion and their potential for promoting
a future of harmony and prosperity. Pope Benedict then assured the Ambassador of
the desire of Mongolia’s Catholic citizens to contribute to the common good by sharing
fully in the life of the nation. He added that Church is also concerned to play her
proper part in the work of intellectual and human formation, above all by educating
the young in the values of respect, solidarity and concern for the less fortunate.