Vatican releases Pope's programme for Kazakhstan

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The Vatican published the agenda for Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

The Holy Father is visiting the Central Asian country to the south of Russia, for the VII Congress of Leaders of of World and Traditional Religions.

The theme of this year’s event will be "The Role of Leaders of World and Traditional Faiths in the Socio-Spiritual Development of Humanity after the Pandemic."

Every three years, religious leaders from around the world gather at the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, in Nur-Sultan.

The last and only Pope to visit Kazakhstan was Pope St. John Paul II in 2001, who traveled there under the motto 'Love One Another.'

Pope Francis will remain in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan and have a busy three days.

Pope's Itinerary in Kazakhstan

Upon landing in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, 13 September, he will pay a courtesy visit to the Kazakh President and address authorities.

On Wednesday, he will have a moment of silent prayer with religious leaders, and address them during the Congress’ opening and plenary session. The Pope will then meet with some of the leaders privately.

In the afternoon, he will celebrate Mass for the country’s Catholics.

According to the Pew Research Center, the country is at least 70% Muslim, and about 25% Christian, of which less than 1% is Catholic.

On Thursday, the Pope will address bishops, priests, religious, pastoral workers, and seminarians, and will also meet with the country's Jesuits.

He will also give another address at the conclusion of the Congress, during which there will be the reading of the event's final declaration.

Pope Francis will return to Rome about 8:15 local time on Thursday evening.

Below is the full Vatican-provided English program of the Apostolic Journey:

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APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS to KAZAKHSTAN

13 - 15 SEPTEMBER 2022

Tuesday, 13 September 2022        ROME – NUR-SULTAN

07:15  Departure by airplane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport to Nur-Sultan

17:45  Arrival at Nur-Sultan International Airport

18:30               OFFICIAL WELCOME

WELCOME CEREMONY  at the Presidential Palace in Nur-Sultan

18:45              COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

19:30              MEETING WITH THE AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS  at the "Qazaq Concert Hall"

                        Address of the Holy Father

Wednesday, 14 September 2022            NUR-SULTAN

10:00              SILENT PRAYER OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS.  

                        OPENING AND PLENARY SESSION OF THE "VII CONGRESS OF LEADERS OF WORLD AND TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS" at the "Palace of Peace and Reconciliation"

                        Address of the Holy Father

12:00              PRIVATE MEETINGS WITH VARIOUS RELIGIOUS LEADERS at "Palace of Peace and Reconciliation" 

16:45              HOLY MASS in the “Expo grounds”

                        Homily of the Holy Father

Thursday, 15 September 2022        NUR-SULTAN – ROME

09:00              PRIVATE MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS at the Apostolic Nunciature

10:30              MEETING WITH BISHOPS, PRIESTS, DEACONS, CONSECRATED PERSONS, SEMINARIANS AND PASTORAL WORKERS in Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Cathedral

                        Address of the Holy Father

15:00               READING OF THE FINAL DECLARATION AND CONCLUSION OF THE CONGRESS at the "Palace of Peace and Reconciliation"

                        Address of the Holy Father

16:15              FAREWELL CEREMONY at Nur-Sultan International Airport

16:45              Departure by airplane from Nur-Sultan International Airport to Rome

20:15              Arrival at Rome/Fiumicino International Airport