Pope Francis held a Mass in Mongolia earlier this week and urged Chinese Catholics to be good citizens and pursue peaceful dialogue. He encouraged them to stay true to their faith and use freedom of religion as an opportunity for growth and healing. He added that Catholics should always be guided by their collective conscience when engaging in dialogue with Chinese authorities. The pontiff also reached out to Catholics who are enduring ongoing persecution, expressing his solidarity and standing in support of all those being discriminated against for their faith. This statement is especially significant coming from a sovereign whose own country has had a troubled history of religious persecution.
