Pope Benedict XVI welcomed the efforts of President Nursultan Nazarbayev to promote inter-religious and inter-cultural understanding and gave his apostolic blessing to Kazakhstan’s initiatives in this field.
The pope shared his views in a meeting with Chairman of Kazakhstan’s Senate and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Kairat Mami that took place at the Vatican on Wednesday, February 6. Mami’s visit was timed to mark the 10th anniversary of President Nazarbayev’s initiative to convene the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Mami expressed gratitude to the Pope and the Holy See for all-round support for the Congress, and conveyed cordial greetings from the President of Kazakhstan.
The Pope praised the efforts of President Nazarbayev in preserving inter-confessional and intercultural understanding and accord, and wished success in the development of a multicultural dialogue and strengthening the peace. Pope Benedict XVI also gave apostolic blessing to Kazakhstan’s initiatives in the area.
During his visit, Mami also met Dean of the College of Cardinals of the Holy See, Angelo Sodano, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Jean-Louis Tauran, Secretary for Relations with States in the Roman Curia, Dominique Francois Joseph Mamberti.
At the meetings in the Vatican, Mami and his interlocutors exchanged views on the topical issues of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Vatican and discussed activities of the Congress of World and Traditional Religions.
Also, during the visit, a roundtable on interreligious dialogue and a photo exhibition dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the Congress were held. Speaking at the opening ceremony of an exhibition, the Senate Speaker said the forum proved its effectiveness and has become a useful platform for promotion of the global dialogue for the last ten years.
“By a twist of fate Kazakhstan became the second home for thousands of Catholics. Today, 79 Catholic communities operate in the country,” Mami said.
