In the eastern central sector of Ulaanbaatar within Bayanzürkh District, travelers moving along the avenues near Peace Avenue encounter an architectural landmark that bridges universal Christian tradition with the timeless soul of the Eurasian steppe: a monumental circular sanctuary shaped like a traditional Mongolian nomadic felt tent (ger), complete with ivory-white cylindrical walls, a conical sky-blue roof rising to a simple cross, and a ring of thirty-six arched stained-glass windows. This is Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, the cathedral church of the Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar and the spiritual home of Roman Catholicism in Mongolia.
Although the Catholic community of Mongolia numbers roughly fifteen hundred local faithful living alongside the country's majority Buddhist heritage (anchored at Gandantegchinlen Monastery) and ancient Ancestor Veneration traditions, this humble yurt-shaped cathedral captured the attention of the entire world in September 2023, when Pope Francis crossed its wooden threshold during the first-ever papal visit to Mongolia to celebrate a message of hope, interfaith harmony, and charitable service.
IApostles Peter and Paul, Our Lady Mother of Heaven, and the Theology of the Nomadic Ger
The cathedral is dedicated to the twin apostolic pillars of the universal Church: Saint Peter, chief of the Apostles and first Bishop of Rome, and Saint Paul, the Apostle to the Nations who carried the Gospel across cultural frontiers. Dedicating the cathedral seat of the Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar to Saints Peter and Paul reflects both the Mongolian Church's communion with the See of Peter in Rome (a diplomatic relationship whose earliest roots reach back to thirteenth-century letters between the Popes and the Mongol Great Khans) and the missionary spirit of Saint Paul in dialoguing respectfully with diverse civilizations.
At the center of the circular interior stands the Eucharistic Altar and Tabernacle bathed in natural light streaming straight down from the circular crown window overhead, accompanied by the Crucifix and the sacred wooden statue of the Virgin Mary honored under the title Mother of Heaven (Tengeriin Ekh). This deeply revered Marian statue carries a remarkable provenance: carved in the early twentieth century, it was discovered buried in a municipal rubbish dump in Tsetserleg (Arkhangai Province) by a non-Christian local woman named Tsetsegee, who instinctively recognized its holiness, kept it wrapped in silk on the family altar of her ger for years, and later entrusted it to Catholic missionaries before Pope Francis blessed the image in 2023.
By shaping the cathedral itself as a traditional Mongolian ger (yurt), the Church visually expresses the biblical mystery of the Incarnation described in the Gospel of John (1:14): The Word became flesh and pitched His tent among us. On the Mongolian steppe, a family's ger is never locked against a traveler seeking warmth from the cold wind; likewise, the Ger Cathedral stands as an open tent of divine hospitality, prayer, and human fraternity.
Speaking inside Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral on September 2, 2023, Pope Francis highlighted the spiritual wisdom of the ger: while its circular walls shelter family warmth and welcome every guest with hot milk tea, its upper roof ring (toono) remains perpetually open to the vast sky above. In the same way, authentic Christian life in Mongolia is called to remain deeply rooted in humble service to one's neighbors on earth while keeping the heart open to the transcendent light of Heaven.
Guided by this ethos, the Catholic mission in Mongolia places primary emphasis on quiet, non-proselytizing charity: operating the Verbist Care Center for orphaned and street children, vocational training schools, kindergartens, clinics for persons with disabilities, and the House of Mercy shelter in Ulaanbaatar serving all citizens regardless of belief.
Vatican archives and Mongolian historical chronicles document that diplomatic and spiritual contact between the Holy See and the Mongol Empire began in the thirteenth century: Pope Innocent IV dispatched the Franciscan friar Giovanni da Pian del Carpine to the enthronement of Güyük Khan near Karakorum in 1246; friar William of Rubruck visited the court of Möngke Khan in 1254; and in 1307 Pope Clement V appointed the Franciscan John of Montecorvino as Archbishop of Khanbaliq under the Yuan dynasty of Kublai Khan's successors.
In the modern era, following Mongolia's 1990 democratic transition, the Holy See and Mongolia established full diplomatic relations on April 4, 1992. On July 10, 1992, three pioneering missionaries of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), Fathers Wenceslao Selga Padilla (1949 to 2018, from the Philippines), Gilbert Sales, and Robert Goessens, arrived in Ulaanbaatar to begin the mission anew. Designed by Serbian architect Predrag Stupar, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral was solemnly consecrated on August 30, 2003, by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the day after Bishop Wenceslao Padilla was ordained the first Prefect Apostolic of Ulaanbaatar inside the cathedral.
Travelers seeing the white cylindrical walls and conical roof of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral from a distance sometimes mistake it for a secular cultural pavilion or a Buddhist circular yurt-temple (Ger Dugan) like those at Dashchoilin Monastery. Approaching the courtyard, however, the cross crowning the central sky-ring and the thirty-six stained-glass windows depicting the Four Evangelists alongside steppe animals reveal its identity as Mongolia's Roman Catholic cathedral.
IIFrom Thirteenth-Century Papal Envoys to the 1992 Missionaries and Pope Francis's 2023 Apostolic Journey
When Father Wenceslao Padilla and his two CICM companions landed in Ulaanbaatar in July 1992, there was not a single known native Mongolian Catholic or church building in the entire country. Rather than preaching on street corners, the missionaries began by descending into the underground municipal heating tunnels of Ulaanbaatar during freezing winters to rescue homeless street children, opening shelters, soup kitchens, and schools in partnership with sisters of Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Missionaries of Charity), Salesians, and Consolata missionaries.
Moved by this dedication to the poorest citizens, municipal authorities granted land in Bayanzürkh District for the construction of a permanent cathedral. Consecrated in August 2003, the Ger Cathedral grew into the mother church of nine parishes and mission stations across Mongolia. In August 2022, Pope Francis created Bishop Giorgio Marengo, IMC (appointed Prefect Apostolic of Ulaanbaatar in 2020), a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, and from September 1 to 4, 2023, Pope Francis himself journeyed to Ulaanbaatar under the motto Hoping Together.
- 13th to 14th centuryFranciscan papal envoys visit the Mongol Empire at Karakorum and KhanbaliqFriars Giovanni da Pian del Carpine (1246), William of Rubruck (1254), and Archbishop John of Montecorvino (1307) establish the earliest historical encounters between the Papacy and the Mongol Khans.
- April and July 1992Vatican-Mongolia diplomatic relations and arrival of the first CICM missionariesFollowing diplomatic ties on April 4, 1992, Father Wenceslao Padilla and fellow CICM missionaries arrive in Ulaanbaatar on July 10, 1992, initiating humanitarian and pastoral work.
- August 29 and 30, 2003Episcopal ordination of Bishop Padilla and consecration of Saints Peter and Paul CathedralCardinal Crescenzio Sepe ordains Bishop Wenceslao Padilla and consecrates the newly completed circular Ger-shaped cathedral designed by architect Predrag Stupar.
- 2005 and 2022Installation of 36 Taizé stained-glass windows and creation of Mongolia's first CardinalIn 2005 Brother Marc of the Taizé Community completes 36 stained-glass windows and the eagle skylight; in August 2022 Bishop Giorgio Marengo is created Cardinal.
- September 1 to 4, 2023Historic Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to Mongolia and visit to the CathedralPope Francis makes the first papal visit in history to Mongolia, meeting clergy, religious, and lay faithful inside Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral on September 2, 2023.
The papal blessing of Our Lady, Mother of Heaven. During the welcome ceremony inside Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral on September 2, 2023, Pope Francis paused in prayer before the wooden statue of the Mother of Heaven found years earlier in a Tsetserleg landfill by Ms. Tsetsegee, who was personally present at the cathedral to greet the Pontiff. Pope Francis remarked that just as a spotless pearl of great price appeared unexpectedly in a place of discarded things, the pure love of Mary had quietly watched over the people of Mongolia even through decades when faith seemed forgotten.
IIINomadic Yurt Architecture in Brick and Steel: The Toono Skylight and 36 Steppe Stained-Glass Windows
Designed by Serbian architect Predrag Stupar, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral translates the sacred vernacular of the Mongolian nomadic felt tent (ger) into permanent modern masonry and structural steel. Rather than imposing a foreign European basilica plan upon the Ulaanbaatar skyline, the cathedral honors the circular geometry that has sheltered Mongolian families for millennia.
The exterior consists of a wide, ivory-white cylindrical wall supporting a gently pitched conical roof clad in sky-blue metal panels, crowned at its apex by a circular skylight ring (toono) and a simple cross. Encircling the upper drum just beneath the eaves are thirty-six semi-circular arched windows, while inside the column-free circular nave radial roof beams converge toward the central skylight, bathing the congregation in warm overhead daylight.
Modeled directly on the white felt walls and conical roof of a traditional Mongolian ger, the thick insulated masonry structure withstands winter temperatures of minus 35 degrees Celsius while symbolizing God's tent among humanity.
At the zenith of the conical ceiling opens a large circular skylight inspired by the smoke-ring crown (toono) of a nomadic yurt, fitted with stained glass depicting a soaring eagle (symbol of Saint John the Evangelist and the steppe sky).
Designed and installed in 2005 by Brother Marc of the ecumenical Taizé Community in France, the 36 arched clerestory windows portray the Four Evangelists alongside native Mongolian snow leopards, Bactrian camels, horses, and antelopes.
Arranged in the round so that worshippers gather closely around the altar like family members inside a ger, the interior features warm wooden pews, radial structural rafters, and traditional Mongolian decorative motifs.
Enshrined inside the cathedral is the historic wooden statue of the Mother of Heaven blessed by Pope Francis in 2023, while the surrounding walled compound houses the Apostolic Prefecture offices, parish center, and charitable facilities.
| Feature | Historical, ecclesiastical, and architectural specification | Verified source |
|---|---|---|
| Official title | Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Ulaanbaatar (Seat of the Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar) | Apostolic Prefecture of Ulaanbaatar, Wikidata Q2669017 |
| Date of consecration | August 30, 2003 (consecrated by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe under Bishop Wenceslao Padilla) | Holy See Press Office and Vatican News |
| Architect and glass artist | Architect Predrag Stupar (Serbia); 36 stained-glass windows by Brother Marc of Taizé (2005) | Cathedral architectural records |
| Architectural form | Circular structure modeled on the traditional Mongolian nomadic yurt (ger) with a central toono skylight | Ulaanbaatar contemporary architecture survey |
| Administrative location | Near Peace Avenue, Bayanzürkh District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | Bayanzürkh District Administration, Ulaanbaatar |
IVThe Lie of the Land
Situated in the eastern sector of central Ulaanbaatar between the Selbe River and the eastern guardian peak of the capital, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral harmonizes nomadic orientation wisdom with Christian sacred space. Below is a comparative reading of its terrain and orientation through the library's landform framework.
Examining the basin topography and mountain guardians at coordinates 47.9219 degrees north, 106.9478 degrees east, the cathedral rests on the flat alluvial terrace of Bayanzürkh District east of the Selbe River and north of the Tuul River. Rising to the east is the sacred peak of Bayanzürkh Mountain (meaning Rich Heart, one of the four guardian mountains of Ulaanbaatar), which acts as an auspicious Azure Dragon screen welcoming the rising sun, while to the south across the river valley stands the long ridge of Bogd Khan Mountain (site of the Zaisan Golden Buddha Statue).
In terms of orientation and circular geometry, following the ancient steppe custom of pitching a ger with its doorway turned away from freezing northern winds, the main entrance of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral opens toward the south and southeast, receiving warm sunlight throughout the day. In traditional form analysis, the cylindrical drum and conical roof deflect harsh winter gales smoothly around the exterior without wind-trapping corners, while the central overhead toono skylight functions as a Celestial Bright Hall drawing pure zenith light straight down onto the altar at the heart of the sanctuary.
VMultilingual Sunday Masses, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, and Papal Visit Commemorations
Following the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar while embracing Mongolian cultural expressions, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral hosts a warm, family-like rhythm of worship uniting local Mongolian Catholics, international missionaries, diplomats, and expatriate workers. The table below outlines the principal liturgical celebrations at the cathedral.
| Timing | Calendar cycle | Observance | Liturgical rites and community traditions at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every Sunday | Weekly Liturgical Cycle | Sunday Celebrations of the Eucharist in Mongolian, English, and Korean | Local Mongolian parishioners and international residents gather beneath the circular ger dome for Sunday Mass accompanied by Mongolian liturgical hymns played on the horsehead fiddle (Morin Khuur), followed by fellowship and tea. |
| March or April annually | Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar | Holy Week, the Easter Vigil, and Baptism of Catechumens | During the solemn Easter Vigil, the Paschal Candle is lit and newly prepared Mongolian catechumens receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist beneath the central toono skylight. |
| June 29 annually | Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar | Patronal Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul | The Cardinal Prefect Apostolic of Ulaanbaatar concelebrates a festive Mass with priests, religious sisters, and lay representatives from across Mongolia to celebrate the cathedral's patron saints. |
| Late August and early September | Local Church Anniversaries | Anniversary of the Cathedral's Consecration (Aug 30, 2003) and Pope Francis's Visit (Sept 2023) | Thanksgiving Masses and interfaith friendship gatherings with Buddhist, Muslim, Orthodox, and Shamanic leaders continuing the spirit of the 2023 papal visit. |
| December 24 to 25 and Lunar New Year | Gregorian Calendar and Mongolian Lunar Calendar (Tsagaan Sar) | Christmas Midnight Mass and Tsagaan Sar Lunar New Year Thanksgiving Mass | In the depths of the Mongolian winter, the Ger Cathedral glows with Christmas candlelight and charity drives for children; during Tsagaan Sar, parishioners wear traditional silk Deel robes to offer New Year prayers and filial greetings. |
Sacred hymns on the horsehead fiddle beneath the sky-window. Visitors attending Sunday Mass at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral are often deeply moved to hear the Mongolian choir sing the Sanctus and communion hymns accompanied by the resonant strings of the traditional Morin Khuur (horsehead fiddle) and flute. During the Lunar New Year of Tsagaan Sar, parishioners dressed in colorful deel robes exchange traditional forearm greetings of peace with the Cardinal and priests after Mass.
Standing in peaceful harmony alongside Central Mosque of Ölgii in the west and the historic Buddhist monasteries of Ulaanbaatar, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral embodies a timeless Mongolian spirit where every guest is welcomed inside the warm circle of the tent.
VILocation And How To Get There
- Address
- Intersection near Peace Avenue, Bayanzürkh District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Getting there
- The cathedral is located in Bayanzürkh District in the eastern central area of Ulaanbaatar, near the Peace Avenue (Enkhtaivny Örgön Chölöö) corridor and the Bökhyn Örgöö (Mongolian Wrestling Palace) / Zhukov district, approximately 2.5 to 3 kilometers east of Sükhbaatar Square. Visitors can take any eastbound city bus along Peace Avenue from downtown Ulaanbaatar to the Bökhyn Örgöö stop and walk a few hundred meters to the cathedral compound, or reach the gate in about 10 minutes by taxi.
- Coordinates
- 47.9219, 106.9478
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral welcomes visitors of all backgrounds for quiet prayer, architectural appreciation, and attendance at public Masses. Please dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, remove hats upon entering the circular sanctuary, silence mobile phones, and maintain reverent quiet near the altar and Blessed Sacrament tabernacle. Non-Catholic visitors attending Sunday Mass (offered in Mongolian and in English) are warmly invited to join in the prayers and hymns; during Holy Communion, those not receiving the Eucharist may remain in their seats or come forward with arms crossed over the chest to receive a blessing.
Nearby places in the library
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?Quick Questions
Why is Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ulaanbaatar built in the shape of a circular tent?
Designed by Serbian architect Predrag Stupar, the cathedral is modeled directly on the traditional Mongolian nomadic felt tent (ger or yurt), complete with cylindrical white walls, a conical blue roof, and a central skylight ring (toono). The design expresses cultural inculturation and the Christian belief that God pitches His tent of hospitality among humanity.
When was the cathedral consecrated, and who was the founding bishop of Ulaanbaatar?
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral was consecrated on August 30, 2003, by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The founding Prefect Apostolic was Bishop Wenceslao Selga Padilla, CICM (1949 to 2018), a Filipino missionary who arrived in Mongolia in July 1992.
Who created the stained-glass windows inside the cathedral, and what do they depict?
In 2005, Brother Marc of the ecumenical Taizé Community in France designed and installed 36 semi-circular stained-glass windows around the upper drum as well as the central eagle skylight on the roof crown. The windows depict the symbols of the Four Evangelists alongside native Mongolian steppe animals such as snow leopards, two-humped Bactrian camels, horses, and antelopes.
What happened at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral during Pope Francis's visit in September 2023?
On September 2, 2023, during the first papal visit in history to Mongolia, Pope Francis visited Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral to address bishops, priests, missionaries, and pastoral workers, reflecting on the spiritual meaning of the nomadic ger and blessing the historic wooden statue of Our Lady, Mother of Heaven, which had been miraculously discovered in a landfill in northern Mongolia.
What charitable works are carried out by the Catholic community centered at the cathedral?
Since 1992, the Catholic Church in Mongolia has focused on humanitarian service for vulnerable citizens regardless of religion, founding homes for orphaned and former street children, kindergartens, technical and vocational schools, shelters for the elderly and disabled, and the House of Mercy clinic in Ulaanbaatar.