Pope Francis is preparing for his trip to Kazakhstan from September 13-15. Barring any surprises, it will be his last foreign trip scheduled for this year.
On Tuesday, the Pope will depart at 7:15am from Fiumicino airport and land in Nur-Sultan at 5:45pm local time. Upon arrival, he will receive a welcome at the Presidential Palace where he will speak with authorities.
Many speculate on whether the Pope will denounce the suffering of minorities, such as the Uyghurs being persecuted in China, during this meeting. If he does so, it could hurt the relationship with China and hinder the renewal of the agreement regarding the government's recognition of the Church.
On Wednesday the 14th, the Pope will participate in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which gathers representatives of different faiths. This is where Pope Francis was potentially supposed to meet with Patriarch Kirill, but the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church recently canceled his attendance at the event. The Pope may instead meet with a delegation representing him.
In the afternoon of the 14th, the Pope will preside at a mass for Kazakhstan's Catholic minority. In this largely Muslim country, Catholics make up 2.4% of the population, and typically originate from German and Polish descent.
On Thursday the 15th, Pope Francis will meet privately—as is customary on his trips—with the country's Jesuits. He will then meet with bishops, priests and other members of the Church of Kazakhstan.
Pope Francis will give a final speech at the Congress of Leaders of World Religions before departing for the airport and landing in Rome at 8:25pm local time.
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