On September 13, the first day of his three-day apostolic journey to Kazakhstan, Pope Francis paid tribute to the history of the nation (map, article) and praised the “country of encounter” for contemporary actions.

“I wish to express appreciation for the affirmation of the value of human life embodied by the abolition of the death penalty in the name of each human being’s right to hope,” he said in his address. “I express deep appreciation for this country’s decisive repudiation of nuclear weapons and its efforts to develop energy and environmental policies centred on decreased dependence on carbon fuel and on investment in clean sources of energy.”

The Pope also encouraged the country to take further steps toward democracy. “The defense of freedom, an aspiration inscribed in the heart of each person, the sole condition for an authentic encounter between individuals and groups, is expressed in civil society chiefly by the recognition of rights, accompanied by duties,” he said.