During a videoconference interview with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the pope "confirmed his official visit to Kazakhstan, as well as his participation in the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions" scheduled for September 14 and 15, said the presidency in a press release.

Deadly riots

The first edition of this congress, which aims to promote dialogue between religions, was held in 2003. The next one is scheduled for September 14 and 15.

The largest country in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is on the border and diplomatically close to Russia, which is currently leading a military offensive in Ukraine, against which the sovereign pontiff has spoken several times.

Kazakhstan was rocked in January by deadly riots that plunged the country into a political crisis unprecedented since its independence after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, before a firm takeover by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

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