President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally met Pope Francis upon arrival at the international airport of the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan city.
During the meeting ceremony, the heads of state introduced each other the members of their delegations. Then the Kazakh leader and Pope Francis had a brief conversation in the Fireplace Room of the presidential terminal.
Welcoming the Pope, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed his heartfelt gratitude to him for the decision to visit Kazakhstan.
— This event is, without any exaggeration, of historical importance. I am absolutely confident that Your visit will attract the attention, first of all, of Kazakhstan people. Today we are hosting an event in which representatives of the state apparatus, the public, the diplomatic corps, and the media will take part. Everyone is looking forward to your speech with great impatience. Your participation in the VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions is an event of great importance. Your personal participation will make a huge contribution to the ultimate success of this forum, which is being held in a very difficult situation in the modern world, we can say in a crisis situation,” the President said.
Following the meeting, the Pope’s motorcade headed to the Akorda Palace.