Alexander Lukashenko invites Pope Francis to visit Belarus

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and Pope Francis. Photo: cdnn11

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Pope Francis on his 88th birthday and expressed his delight at the prospect of welcoming the pontiff to Belarus. This was reported by the press service of the President of Belarus.

"Allow me to reaffirm my admiration for your dedication to serving peace and your flock, the strength of your faith and spirit, and your ability to build friendships with an open heart and soul. I am pleased to note the high level of interaction and the active development of relations between Belarus and the Vatican, much of which is thanks to your efforts," the message read.

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized his hope for a personal meeting, “which will undoubtedly give impetus to the comprehensive strengthening of Belarusian-Vatican relations.”

“We would be very happy to welcome you to Belarus, where you are sincerely loved and appreciated,” the President wrote.

As previously reported, a Roman Catholic Church priest in Belarus was arrested for “extremism”.

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