Ulaanbaatar, 3 September 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Pope Francis called on Sunday for harmony between religions at an interfaith meeting during an unprecedented visit to Mongolia.

It is precisely religion that has the role of bringing harmony to a world torn apart by strife and discord, Francis said during the meeting with representatives of different faiths at the HUN Theatre just outside the Mongolian capital.

If those in positions of responsibility were to focus on encounter and dialogue, "this would be a decisive contribution to ending the conflicts that bring suffering to all peoples," Francis said.

The 86-year-old called for harmony between religions and pleaded for a commitment to justice and peace to transform "destructive evil into constructive good."

At the same time, Francis condemned "closed-mindedness, unilateral imposition, fundamentalism and ideological coercion."

Pope Francis reached Ulaanbaatar on Friday, marking the first time that a pope had visited the nation sandwiched between Russia and China.

Mass is scheduled for Sunday afternoon and will be celebrated by the pope for some 2,000 people in the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar. As well as Mongolian Catholics, pilgrims from China are also expected to attend.

The pope is expected to remain in the country until Monday. One of his main aims is to strengthen the small Catholic community there.

Photo: EPA