The Vatican is preparing for meetings in Astana. In early October, Kazakhstan’s capital will host two events involving representatives of the Holy See and focused on interreligious and interfaith dialogue, DKNews.kz reports.
Preparations were discussed on August 18, 2026, at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Holy See during a meeting with Cardinal George Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
Holy See delegation expected in Astana in early October
One of the central topics was the participation of the Holy See delegation in the 24th Meeting of the Secretariat of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
The second major event on the October agenda will be the 2nd Kazakhstan–Vatican Colloquium.
Both meetings are scheduled to take place in Kazakhstan’s capital in early October. The sides discussed their substantive agenda as well as organizational arrangements.
For Astana, this continues a dialogue with the Holy See through established international platforms rather than a one-off diplomatic contact.
Kazakhstan and the Vatican to continue interreligious dialogue
The meeting also covered prospects for further development of Kazakhstan–Vatican cooperation in interreligious and interfaith dialogue.
The sides confirmed their mutual interest in strengthening cooperation and maintaining regular contacts on issues of shared interest.
The October events in Astana will now become the next practical stage of this work, with Kazakhstan and the Holy See already coordinating preparations at the diplomatic level.
Vatican briefed on new Constitution and Kurultai elections
The talks went beyond the religious agenda.
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan briefed Cardinal Koovakad on the country’s large-scale political reforms, the key provisions of the new Constitution that has entered into force, and preparations for the first elections of deputies to Kazakhstan’s Kurultai.
The Kazakh side said the reforms are aimed at further improving the political system, strengthening state institutions and developing civil society.
Kazakhstan’s domestic political changes have therefore also become part of the diplomatic dialogue with the Holy See ahead of the October meetings in Astana.
Preparations for the second colloquium have been underway since early 2026
The Kazakhstan–Vatican Colloquium has been on the bilateral agenda for some time.
In January, we reported on Kazakhstan and the Vatican discussing preparations for the second colloquium in Astana.
The sides have now moved on to detailed substantive and organizational preparations, with early October set to become the next major stage in Kazakhstan–Vatican dialogue.
