Polish President: Freedom of religion is the foundation of our country

Andrzej Duda. Photo: Official Website of the President of the Republic of Poland

On January 15, 2025, Polish President Andrzej Duda met with representatives of churches and religious organizations, as well as national and ethnic minorities present in the country, along with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the Republic of Poland. The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, as reported by Orthodoxia News Agency.

The event was attended by His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa of Warsaw and All Poland, Archbishop George of Wrocław and Szczecin, and Orthodox military chaplain Fr. Andrzej Lewchak.

In his speech, President Duda emphasized that for centuries, various religious groups have coexisted on the territory of the Republic of Poland as part of a great commonwealth of many nations and religions.

Duda reminded the attendees that two years ago marked the 450th anniversary of the Warsaw Confederation, an act that introduced universal religious tolerance and equality of citizens before the law. Thus, the right to freedom of religion became a cornerstone of the Republic of Poland, and every newly elected leader was required to commit to its protection.

Notably, Poland has officially assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union, beginning its second rotational chairmanship, which will continue until the end of June.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the Polish Orthodox Church has called for prayers for peace in Ukraine.

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