Nur-Sultan, Sep 13 (EFE).- Pope Francis arrived in Kazakhstan Tuesday as a “pilgrim of peace” on a three-day visit taking place “while the senseless and tragic war caused by the invasion of Ukraine” continues and “while other confrontations and threats of conflict endanger our time.”
The pope traveled to the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, to participate in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will launch a message of peace from this former Soviet republic bordering Russia and where both Ukrainians and Russians live.
In his first public act after meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Pope Francis presented himself to authorities and the diplomatic corps gathered at the Qazaq Concert Hall “as a pilgrim of peace, in search of dialogue and unity.”
“Our world urgently needs it, it needs to find harmony again,” he stressed.
Nur-sultan (Kazakhstan), 13/09/2022.- A handout picture made available by Kazakhstan President press-service shows Pope Francis (L) during the welcome ceremony with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (R) at the Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 13 September 2022. The Pope is planned to meet with President Tokayev and hold a meeting with participants in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. (Papa, Kazajstán) EFE/EPA/KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENT PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUT HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
Nur-sultan (Kazakhstan), 13/09/2022.- A handout picture made available by Kazakhstan President press-service shows Pope Francis (L) shakes hands with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (R) during a meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps at the ÔQazaq Concert HallÕ in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 13 September 2022. The Pope is planned to meet with President Tokayev and hold a meeting with participants in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. (Papa, Kazajstán) EFE/EPA/KAZAKHSTAN PRESIDENT PRESS SERVICE/HANDOUT HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
In his speech, the pope recalled that Kazakhstan, which shares borders with China and Russia, “is configured as a crossroads of important geopolitical intersections, which therefore gives it a fundamental role in mitigating conflicts.”
Kazakhstan has remained neutral in the conflict and at the beginning of the war the Central Asian country offered to serve as a mediator.
“John Paul II came here to sow hope, immediately after the tragic attacks of 2001,” the pope said in reference to the September 11 terror attacks in the United States, and now Pope Francis comes to this country, he added, “during the senseless and tragic war originated by the invasion of Ukraine, and while other confrontations and threats of conflicts endanger our time.”
“I come to amplify the cry of so many who implore peace, an essential development path for our globalized world,” he stressed.
Nur-sultan (Kazakhstan), 13/09/2022.- Pope Francis and President of Kazakhstan Kassym Joomart Tokayev attend a meeting with government officials, the diplomatic corps and civil society in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 13 September 2022. Pope Francis will visit the Capital of Kazakhstan from 13 to 15 September. (Papa, Kazajstán) EFE/EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO
Nur-sultan (Kazakhstan), 13/09/2022.- Pope Francis with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps at the ‘Qazaq Concert Hall’ in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 13 September 2022. The Pope is planned to meet with President Tokayev and hold a meeting with participants in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. (Papa, Kazajstán) EFE/EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO
Nur-sultan (Kazakhstan), 13/09/2022.- Pope Francis and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attend a meeting with government officials, the diplomatic corps and civil society in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 13 September 2022. Pope Francis will visit the Capital of Kazakhstan from 13 to 15 September. EFE/EPA/IGOR KOVALENKO
He affirmed that the time has come “to avoid the intensification of rivalries and the strengthening of opposing blocs” and that the world needs leaders capable of understanding each other and who have the will to reinforce multilateralism.
“And to do this you need understanding, patience and dialogue with everyone. I repeat, with everyone,” he added.
