There was no shortage in references to the war in Ukraine in the Pope's first speech in Kazakhstan. He said that the world must recover the 'spirit of Helsinki,' referring to the pact signed in 1975 between the Western powers and the Soviet Union that declared the sovereignty of European borders.
POPE FRANCIS
We need leaders who, at the international level, allow people to have greater understanding and dialogue, who generate a new 'spirit of Helsinki'—the will to strengthen multilateralism, to build a more stable and peaceful world with the new generations in mind.
The Pope took advantage of a local Kazakh proverb to recall that a globalized world must remain united.
POPE FRANCIS
The source of success is unity, says a beautiful local proverb.
Pope Francis' speech touched on a number of subjects. He denounced the injustices caused by an unequal distribution of wealth and criticized extremism and populism. He praised Kazakhstan's commitment to minimize the use of coal and to protect the environment while recognizing its ability to respect different religions, using the interfaith congress as an example.
These were Pope Francis' first words in Kazakhstan—speaking before the political leaders of the country, it is the most political speech of the trip.
Due to his knee problems, the Pope spoke while seated, just as he did on his trip to Canada.
JRB
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