Pope Francis arrives in Mongolia amid strained relations with Russia and China

Pope Francis picks up a piece of Aaruul or Mongolian curd cheese as he arrives at Ulaanbaatar’s International airport Chinggis Khaan (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis arrived in Mongolia on Friday on a visit designed to encourage one of the world’s smallest and newest Catholic communities.

It is the first time a pope has visited the landlocked Asian country and comes at a time when the Vatican’s relations with Mongolia’s powerful neighbours, Russia and China, are again strained.