Меню
Contacts at the highest level are regular.
The first President of Kazakhstan, N. Nazarbayev, paid official visits to the Vatican in 1998, 2003 and 2009. During the initial visit, a pivotal interstate document was signed: the Agreement on Relations between Kazakhstan and the Holy See.
In January 2024, President of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev made an official visit to the Vatican, during which he met with Pope Francis and the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop P.R.Gallagher.
The heads of the Roman Catholic Church have visited Kazakhstan on two occasions.
The first state (pastoral) visit to Kazakhstan was made by Pope John Paul II in September 2001. During this visit, the Pontiff met with the leadership of Kazakhstan, notable figures in culture and art, and the nation's youth. The visit culminated in a solemn liturgy and Holy Mass in the capital Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with the Pontiff's active participation.
In the subsequent state visit, which took place from 13-15 September 2022 and was organised under the aegis of “Messengers of Peace and Unity”, Pope Francis was received by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During this visit, the Pontiff met with the President of Kazakhstan, K. Tokayev, and participated in the proceedings of the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. The Pontiff also celebrated a Holy Mass in one of the main squares of Astana.
The visit also resulted in the signing of an Additional Agreement to the Agreement between Kazakhstan and the Holy See on mutual relations of 24 September 1998.
Active dialogue is also conducted at a high level. The Presidents of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan have visited the Vatican on official and working visits in 2005, 2018, 2021 and 2024.
In April 2024, the Kazakh delegation, led by M. Ashimbayev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, participated in a roundtable discussion titled “Our Common Home: a Divine Gift to be Loved and Cared for” at the Vatican.
In 2010, the State Secretary of the Holy See, Cardinal T. Bertone, paid an official visit to Kazakhstan, during which meetings were held with the country's top leadership.
In May 2022, the head of the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan, M.Tleuberdi, paid an official visit to the Vatican. During this visit, he held meetings with Pope Francis and the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal P.Parolin.
In addition to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states, there has been a notable level of interaction between Kazakhstan and the Vatican in the domain of interreligious and interconfessional dialogue. A notable illustration of this is the consistent and active involvement of the Vatican in the work of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which was established on the initiative of Kazakhstan in 2003.
The Vatican delegation was initially headed by Cardinal J.Tomko, Chairman of the Congregation for Evangelisation. Subsequent Congresses have also seen the Vatican's participation at the highest levels. The participation of Pope Francis in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in 2022 was of particular significance.