Pope Francis arrives in Kazakhstan on a state visit

Nur-Sultan, September 13, 2022 - Pope Francis arrived today on a state visit to Kazakhstan. This is the head of the Roman Catholic Church's second visit to our country. In 2001, Pope John Paul II visited Kazakhstan. At the airport of the capital of Kazakhstan Pontiff was met by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Today Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Pope Francis. Welcoming the head of the Catholic Church, the President thanked him for coming to Kazakhstan.

- Your first apostolic visit to Kazakhstan and Central Asia in general fills the hearts of my countrymen, regardless of their faith, with great joy and good wishes. I regard your visit as a vivid example of exemplary spiritual leadership in the name of welfare and justice. It is very symbolic that the historical pilgrimage of St John Paul II to Kazakhstan took place in September 2001 against the background of the profound shock that shook the world after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States," said the Head of State.

The President emphasized that the visit of the Pope takes place against the background of serious tensions in the international arena and negative trends in the geopolitical situation in the world.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that the visit of the Pope to Kazakhstan and his participation in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is a very important event. In the President's opinion, it is from the Pope that impulses calling for peace and mutual understanding can emanate.

At the meeting held in the spirit of mutual respect and trust, the Head of our State and the Pope discussed the current issues of promoting interfaith harmony and interfaith dialogue, the prospects for cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Vatican, and exchanged views on the current challenges of our time.

After the talks, the President of Kazakhstan and the Pope held a joint meeting with representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps at the central concert hall "Kazakhstan".

Opening the event, the head of our state stressed the historical significance of today's event.

- Pope Francis makes his first apostolic visit to Kazakhstan. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and the Vatican. Your visit coincided with this significant date. We attach special importance to this event because today's meeting is aimed at bringing our cooperation in various spheres to a new level," the President said.

The leader of Kazakhstan noted that during 30 years of Independence our country has formed its own model of interethnic and inter-religious consent based on the principle of "unity in variety".

In his turn, the Pope expressed his satisfaction with his apostolic visit to the ancient Kazakh land. As the Pontiff said, he came here as a pilgrim of peace in search of dialogue and unity.

- A local saying goes: the beginning of success is unity. It is certainly important everywhere, but here especially. There are nearly one hundred and fifty ethnic groups and more than eighty languages. These are the nations with different history, cultural and religious traditions, which together form an incredible symphony and make Kazakhstan a unique multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-confessional laboratory, indicating its special calling - to be the country of meeting, - noted the Pontiff.

The head of the Catholic Church welcomed Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's decision to abolish the death penalty in the country. In his conviction, this serves to affirm the value of human life in the name of the right to hope for every individual.

The Pope called for intensified diplomatic efforts to promote the dialogue needed in the current geopolitical tensions.

- It is time to learn not to exacerbate enmity and to stop reinforcing blocs that oppose one another. We need leaders at the international level who can promote understanding and dialogue among peoples and revive the "Helsinki spirit," the desire to strengthen multilateralism, to build a more stable and peaceful world, caring for new generations. This requires understanding, patience and dialogue with all. I repeat, with everyone! - Pope Francis stressed.

The Pontiff praised the efforts of Kazakhstan in disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, decarbonization of economy and investments in alternative sources of energy.

The Pope thanked Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his hospitality, wishing peace and unity to our country.

Source: www.akorda.kz