As the first Cardinal in the history of Mongolia and one of the youngest members of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giorgio Marengo’s missionary work is marked by a commitment to interfaith dialogue, community building and pastoral care.
Born in Italy, Cardinal Marengo’s missionary journey to Mongolia began after his ordination as a priest in 2001, when he was sent to serve one of the smallest Catholic communities in the world and develop missionary work on the ground.
Elevated to the role of Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar in 2020 and named Cardinal in 2022, Cardinal Marengo’s unwavering commitment and visionary leadership have played a crucial part in establishing the Catholic Church as an essential social services provider, giving much-needed support to the local communities.
His work continues to be a beacon of hope and faith, showcasing the Catholic Church’s dedication to reaching out to all people, especially the most vulnerable. Cardinal Marengo defines the place of the Church succinctly:
"Mongolia is a very stable country with a good tradition of democracy in which the Catholic Church tries her best to play her role of promoting peace and harmony and development for all people.”
Central to his work is creating genuine connections with people. Based on the principle of whispering the Gospel, Cardinal Marengo has learned to open his mind and heart to the people he shares his life with, truly connecting and being ‘faith-in-action’.
“We spend our training period really trying our best to listen to the reality and to deepen our knowledge of the people with whom we share our life,” says Cardinal Marengo.
