On the occasion of the Interreligious Congress taking place at Astana on the role of religions in the present global context filled with dangers for world peace I am pleased to send cordial greetings to the President of the Congress, His Excellency Mr Nursultan Nazarbayev, and to all the participants, to whom I wish every success in their deliberations.

In the spirit of Assisi, this new initiative of the Kazakhstan Authorities will help to promote respect for human dignity, the defence of religious freedom and the growth of mutual understanding among peoples, convinced as we are that religion, properly understood, shows itself to be a solid instrument for the promotion of peace. For this purpose the Catholic Church, on the basis of the revealed teaching living within her, is committed to support every sincere effort in favour of a genuine peace based on truth, justice, love and freedom.

JOHN PAUL II