Nur-Sultan: Catholics and non-Catholics in the vast Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan prayerfully prepare for the Pope's visit. Pope Francis will begin his 38th apostolic visit on Tuesday.

"They have been working day and night," Fr. Pawel, a Franciscan priest, told Vatican News during a visit to the pavilion where the Holy Father's Mass will be held for the nation's Catholics, though not only Catholics will be present.

According to the rector of the Cathedral where the Pope will meet bishops, clergy, religious, and those pursuing vocations on Thursday, not only the Catholics are greatly anticipating the Mass, but even Kazakhs of other faiths.

This peaceful coexistence between religions, and ethnicities in the Central Asian nation, which is the largest landlocked nation, and the ninth-largest country in terms of landmass, can be witnessed all around.

Therefore, it seems appropriate this pacific, immense and sparsly-populated country, therefore, would be appropriate to host the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, in an effort to promote peace and interreligious dialogue, especially as various wars and conflicts rage in the world.

On the streets, even if it were not very obvious a papal trip would be taking place, people still expressed their happiness for the Pope's visit, many appreciating the country for its peaceful co-existence between religions.

When we were present for the papal Mass preparations, not even the start of pouring rain prevented the young volunteers from enthusiastically continuing to set up, some of whom, organizers told us, were from other religions.

The country, which is just south of Russia and borders China and several former Soviet Republics, gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, in the wake of a sad history of persecutions under the Communist Regime.
Mentalities changing

It now has the greatest economy in Central Asia, and hosts Central Asia's only Catholic Seminary.