Pope Francis to visit Kazakhstan in September

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has held talks with Pope Francis via videoconference. During the virtual meeting, they agreed on a visit by Pope Francis to Kazakhstan in September and discussed the prospects for strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Vatican, as well as issues of promoting interfaith harmony and interreligious dialogue.

Special emphasis was made on the agenda of the upcoming the 7th World Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions to be held in the coming September in the capital of Kazakhstan. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that this event is of great importance for Kazakhstan.

This will not be the first visit by a Pontiff to Kazakhstan. Pope John-Paul ii visited Kazakhstan in 2001, a few weeks after 9/11, and praised Kazakhstan as a muliti-ethnic state located in the heart of Eurasia, heir to numerous centuries-old spiritual and cultural traditions.

In his prayers, upon landing at Astana International Airport, Pope John-Paul ii said, "I ask the Lord to bless all the beloved peoples of Kazakhstan, as you build a country under the banner of true progress, a land where different traditions and cultures come together and coexist."

Now, eleven years later, President Tokayev spoke with Pope Francis about the Kazakh model of interfaith harmony and unity. He also informed the Head of the Catholic Church about the implementation of large-scale political and economic reforms in the country.

Pope Francis expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity to meet and confirmed his official visit to Kazakhstan, as well as participation in the 7th World Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. He noted that he is optimistic about the upcoming visit and participation in the forum.  

“I look forward to this important event from the point of promoting interreligious dialogue, and for the theme of unity to bring countries, which is much needed for the world today,” the Head of the Catholic Church said.

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The Pontiff stressed the exceptional importance of achieving unity and harmony in the world amid the current difficult geopolitical situation.

“We see how diverse and united your country is. This is a basis for stability. We are happy that in Kazakhstan you understand that. You can count on my support, and I appreciate your efforts,” the Pope stated.

In turn, President Tokayev affirmed Kazakhstan’s strong commitment to further developing cooperation with the Holy See in the sphere of spiritual harmony and mutual respect.

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