Testo originale del articolo in inglese qui
The director of the Vatican press room, Matteo Bruni, has announced that Pope Francis will make a trip to Kazakhstan from September 13 to 15. Invited by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities, the Pope will make a pastoral visit and will also take part in the VII Congress of World and Traditional Religions, in the city of Nur-Sultan.
At the press conference on the return trip from Canada, Pope Francis commented on his willingness to undertake this trip: "Kazakhstan, at the moment, I would like to walk: it is a quiet trip, without much movement, it is a Congress of Religions.", he said.
Congress objectives
The congress aims to collaborate in the establishment of peace, tolerance between religions, confessions, nations and ethnic groups. To this end, it collaborates with international organizations and structures aimed at promoting dialogue between religions, cultures and civilization. Among its objectives are "to prevent the prevalence of the theories on the control of civilization, which is expressed in the opposition of religions and in the greater politicization of theological controversies, as well as in the attempts to claim one religion as a paragon of another.".
Three months ago Omnes had the opportunity to speak to Bishop Joseph Louis Mumbiela, Bishop of Almaty(º), the most populous city in Kazakhstan, and president of the Episcopal Conference of Kazakhstan. On that occasion he underlined the enthusiasm that the trip has aroused among Catholics: "I would like to thank you all for the enthusiasm you have shown me.For the Catholic Church it is always a joy. A common Father has no need of particular reasons to see his children. He is always welcome. But obviously the historical circumstances of Kazakhstan and of the countries near Kazakhstan (Ukraine, Russia), make this trip very meaningful. Approfitting the International Congress, which aims to promote peace and harmony between different religions and cultures. This is exactly what the Pope wants to spread, in a world that suffers from the opposite. The historical circumstances favor him. This coincidence is very beautiful.".
N.d.T...(º) Almaty previously fine to 1993 Alma-Ata
