President Tokayev invites Pope Leo XIV to visit Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Kazakhstan on an apostolic visit. A special letter of invitation from the President was delivered to the Pontiff at the Vatican during an audience by Senate Speaker and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, Maulen Ashimbayev.

In his message, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan, home to diverse ethnic and religious communities, highly values the Holy See’s consistent support for the country’s efforts to promote peace, harmony, and mutual respect.

“We are especially grateful for the ongoing support the Vatican provides to the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. Your address to the participants of the 8th Congress, as well as the final declaration of the forum, serve as a spiritual guide for strengthening global dialogue and countering extremism and intolerance. It would be a great honor for Kazakhstan to welcome Your Holiness on an apostolic visit at a time convenient for you. I am confident that such a visit would inspire representatives of the diverse communities of our region and give new momentum to our shared aspiration for a more just and harmonious international order,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted.

Photo by the Senate Press Office

During the audience, Maulen Ashimbayev also briefed the Pontiff on the implementation of the provisions of the Astana Declaration of Peace adopted at the 8th Congress.

“President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev pays great attention to strengthening relations with the Vatican and highly appreciates your efforts to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue. Representatives of the Holy See took an active part in drafting the final document of the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions – the Astana Declaration of Peace 2025. As part of implementing the Declaration, the Secretariat of the Congress has begun work on preparing a document on the role of religious organizations in combating climate change. We have also started developing an Ethical Code for the Development of Artificial Intelligence, taking into account the vision of religious leaders,” Maulen Ashimbayev said.

On the same day, an international roundtable on interreligious dialogue was held at the Vatican, where participants discussed the implementation of the Astana Declaration of Peace, the development of interfaith cooperation, and joint initiatives between Kazakhstan and the Vatican in the field of spiritual diplomacy.

Photo by the Senate Press Office

Maulen Ashimbayev also held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of the Holy See and paid tribute to the memory of Pope Francis by laying flowers at his tomb in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.