And with this historic trip, the Pope said that he was coming to visit Mongolia’s small flock of just 1,450 Catholics, which he described as “small in number but great in faith and charity.”

Source: https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/papal-plane-diaries-traveling-with-the-pope-to-the-peripheries-of-mongolia

Between 1990-2010, Canada was Mongolia’s second-largest investor.

Source: https://thediplomat.com/2023/12/canada-mongolia-new-comprehensive-partnership-means-business/

Between 2009 to 2017, Elbegdorj Tsakhia served two consecutive terms, making him so far the longest-serving president of modern Mongolia’s history.

Source: https://thediplomat.com/2023/03/what-does-xi-jinpings-third-term-mean-for-china-mongolia-relations/

Given Mongolia’s geopolitical constraints, some analysts underestimate Mongolia’s third neighbor’s foreign policy due to its strong ties with Russia and China.

Source: https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/explaining-democratic-mongolias-strong-ties-with-russia-and-china/

Given Mongolia’s geopolitical constraints, some analysts underestimate Mongolia’s third neighbor’s foreign policy due to its strong ties with Russia and China.

Source: https://thediplomat.com/2023/04/explaining-democratic-mongolias-strong-ties-with-russia-and-china/

Gold accounts for about 80 percent of Mongolia’s exports and over 70 percent of foreign investment in the country.

Source: https://greekreporter.com/2023/12/14/large-gold-deposit-discovered-mongolia/

In December 2022, the same month China finally lifted its harsh COVID-19 restrictions, Mongolia’s coal exports nearly tripled, going from 1,165 to 2,932 tons.

Source: https://thediplomat.com/2023/01/mongolia-china-look-to-bolster-economic-activities-in-the-post-covid-era/

Most of Mongolia’s population of about 3.3 million are Buddhists.

Source: https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/2023/09/03/pope-francis-and-mongolias/

Nonetheless, Mongolia’s recent population boom school crowding, pollution, housing problems, and other issues, and points to the need for flexible approaches to population growth, decline, and stabilization.

Source: https://www.counterpunch.org/2023/09/12/how-countries-prepare-for-population-growth-and-decline/

With less grass from overgrazing, individual animals stay small and don’t develop the creamy fat prized in Mongolia’s boiled meat dishes.

Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mongolia-climate-economy-change-nomads_n_65832f9de4b04da98425795f