Giorgio Marengo, 50 years old, the missionary of the console that Pope Francis had created Cardinal in August 2022, started this morning from Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, directed to Rome, where he will participate in the conclave. His confrere, friend, peer and countryman Cuneo Daniele Giolittigreeted him before departure.
Father Giolitti, what did the cardinal tell you before leaving?
“Pray for me”.
A cardinal who enters the conclave could become Pope. This thing scares you?
“No, the thought is not afraid of me, in case I will mind not seeing it here anymore.”
Did Pope Francis visited Mongolia in 2023, how did you live these days of mourning for the Church?
“The day after the death of Francesco we had continuous condolences to the headquarters of the Apostolic Prefecture where Cardinal Marengo lives. We prepared a small space for prayer and the people were able to visit the room where Francesco stayed during his three days in Mongolia. There is the bed where he slept and a desk. People left a message in the book of condolences, whoever wanted a prayer in a prayer and deposit a little incense in front of the Pope’s photography “.
Who visited?
“Authorities and people of the Christian community. From the Ambassador of the United States to Mongolia to a community of disabled children followed by our nuns”.
Have you received the condolences of the Buddhist community?
“Yes, there were condolences from the head of the main Buddhist monastery and then we were invited to participate in a prayer in the monastery of Gandan Ulambatr. The monks prayed with Tibetan sutre for Pope Francis. I and a Korean missionary priest were in the front row and we turned on a lumino”.
What is the legacy of Francesco’s visit for the Christian community of Mongolia?
“He gave a lot of courage and the strength to continue the missionaries. For example, he prompted me to return here, where he had been for some time a few years ago. Furthermore, Francesco’s visit gave Mongols the opportunity of a deeper and more knowledge of Catholics and the Christian religion. When we present ourselves as Catholic missionaries, now people immediately identify us with Pope Francis, who was very appreciated for his respect for religion and traditions”.
