Pope Francis arrives in Mongolia on 4-day official visit

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia

Pope Francis on Friday arrived in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar as part of a four-day visit.

Francis arrived at Genghis Khan International Airport early in the day with a delegation and was greeted by Mongolian Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh in an official ceremony.

The Pope's contacts in Mongolia, which is home to about 1,500 Catholics, will begin on Saturday, where he is expected to meet with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and address diplomatic representatives.

Nearly 150 foreign journalists came to the Mongolian capital to cover the Pope's visit, which will end on Monday.

*Writing by Burc Eruygur in Istanbul