Pope Says Kazakhstan Must Remain Sample Of Religious Tolerance

While bidding farewell to the people of Kazakhstan, Pope John Paul II said they should further maintain peace and accord between all peoples and religions and be an example of friendship for other peoples of the planet. Tuesday, at 11:30 AM, local time, the Pontiff left the capital of Kazakhstan and set for Yerevan. He was seen off at the airport by president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, members of the government, numerous Catholics (including those who had come from abroad), believers of other religions. While saying farewell to the pontiff, Nazarbayev stressed that the Pope had not changed his mind to visit Kazakhstan even after the terrorist acts in the USA. The President highly appreciated the fact that "exactly on these tragic days the Pontiff's call to universal accord and to joint efforts against terrorism has been worded from the Kazakh land." John Paul II' three-hours flight to Yerevan will be made by an Air Kazakhstan Airbus. The passengers' compartment has been re-equipped to provide for maximum comfort; fridges contain Pope's favourite dishes and beverages, a medical brigade is always ready to render the necessary help, and hostesses speak Italian. The plane's fuselage has been decorated with a Vatican emblem and Pope's coat-of-arms.