Kyrgyz president, pope discuss support to multireligious society in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK. Oct 4 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Pope Francis have discussed Kyrgyzstan's efforts to support multinational and multireligious society in Kyrgyzstan.

Japarov and Kyrgyzstan's First Lady Aigul Japarova met with Pope Francis during Japarov's "official visit to the Holy See, the Vatican," the Kyrgyz leader's press service said on Friday.

Japarov stated commitment to the principles and ideals of peace, justice and mutual understanding between peoples and religions, and Pope Francis' large personal contribution to the solution of conflicts, the press service said.

Japarov said Kyrgyzstan is a secular multinational state in which representatives of dozens of ethnic groups live in peace and accord, the report said. The state guarantees freedom of religion and does not interfere in religious practices, he said.

Pope Francis gave high marks to Kyrgyzstan's efforts in supporting multinational and multireligious society, noting the importance of further work to preserve these values, the press service said.

At the end of the conversation, Japarov invited the pope to visit Kyrgyzstan, the report said.