With Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey to the former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan, Vatican News shares the beloved site of Kazakh devotion - Ozernoe - .
VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis had hoped his trip to Kazakhstan this week would offer a chance to meet with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church who has justified the war in Ukraine and plead for peace. Patriarch Kirill bowed out a few weeks ago, but Francis is going ahead with the trip that is nevertheless being overshadowed by Russia’s seven-month war.
Pope Francis is traveling to Kazakhstan this week to participate in a conference of world religious leaders, with Russia s war in Ukraine clouding the visit
Pope Francis is traveling to Kazakhstan this week to participate in a conference of world religious leaders, with Russia's war in Ukraine clouding the visit. He had hoped his trip would offer a chance to meet with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has justified the war. But Patriarch Kirill bowed out a few weeks ago. In a way, Kirill’s absence will make life easier for all involved, especially Kazakhstan, which won’t have its showcase gathering overshadowed by a headline-grabbing photo op between the pope and the patriarch.
Francis will attend a conference attended by Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Shinto and Jewish leaders and promote 'the peace for which our world is thirsting,' he says