Pope Leos XIV greets Kazakh pilgrims in the Vatican, preparing for the Congress of World and Traditional Religions
The pilgrimage of thirty Kazakh Catholics from the Karaganda diocese to the Vatican was reported by the Vatican News agency on August 27. This significant event took place on a Sunday in August, though the exact date remains undisclosed.
The pilgrimage was part of the Jubilee Year celebrations and saw the group visiting four Papal basilicas, praying at sacred sites significant to the history of the Catholic Church. The journey culminated at St. Peter's Square, where they were warmly received by Pope Leo XIV.
This encounter marked a continuation of longstanding ties between Kazakhstan and the Vatican. Pope John Paul II visited Kazakhstan in 2001, and since then, the Vatican has shown consistent support for Kazakhstan's interfaith initiatives. In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his backing for these initiatives, and more recently, in January 2024, Pope Francis welcomed President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Vatican.
The meeting between Pope Francis and President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan's role in promoting peaceful coexistence and dialogue. This role was further emphasised during Pope Francis's visit to Kazakhstan in 2022 for the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
The eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is scheduled for Sept. 17-18 in Astana. Since its launch in 2003, the Congress has become a major global platform for interfaith dialogue, bringing together religious leaders and scholars from across the world.
As the most recent Pope to have visited Kazakhstan, Pope Leo XIV's warm welcome to the Kazakh pilgrims underscores the Vatican's commitment to fostering interfaith understanding and cooperation. The pilgrimage serves as a testament to the strong ties between Kazakhstan and the Vatican and the ongoing efforts to promote peace and dialogue among different faiths.
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