Pope Francis arrives in Kazakhstan's capital

NUR-SULTAN. Sept 13 (Interfax) - Pope Francis arrived in the capital of Kazakhstan on Tuesday to take part in the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, the Kazakh presidential press service said.

"Pope Francis has arrived in Kazakhstan on a state visit, as his plane has landed at the capital's airport," it said.

"President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is to welcome the distinguished guest," it said.

The Kazakh Foreign Ministry had said on Monday that Pope Francis would be accompanied on his trip by representatives of over 80 media outlets from his pool.

Apart from taking part in the Congress, the Pontiff is expected to serve a mass for 3,000 pilgrims, who have arrived in Nur-Sultan from Central Asian, and other neighboring countries.

The organizers said that about 100 delegations from 50 countries were to take part in the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, including those professing Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and other religions.

The Congress is expected to focus on the role of leaders of the world and traditional religions in humankind's spiritual and social development in the post-pandemic period.