Lukashenko pardons two Catholic priests at the request of Pope Leo
RCC clergy Andrzej Jukhnevich and Henrikh Okolotovich. Photo: minsknews.by
On November 22, 2025, the spokesperson of the President of Belarus, Natalia Eismont, confirmed media reports that Alexander Lukashenko, at the personal request of Pope Leo XIV, pardoned two Catholic priests convicted of serious crimes against the state, BELTA’s correspondent reported.
The priests in question are Andrzej Jukhnevich and Henrikh Okolotovich. According to the Belarusian president’s administration, the decision was also made with the participation of Metropolitan Iosif Staneuski of Minsk–Mogilev.
The pardon was described as a “gesture of goodwill,” undertaken out of considerations of mercy and humanitarian principles, as well as in the interest of fostering relations between Belarus and the Vatican.
Eismont also reported that Minsk made another humanitarian decision “in furtherance of agreements” between the presidents of the United States and Belarus and at the request of the Ukrainian side. Lukashenko pardoned 31 Ukrainian citizens previously convicted in Belarus. The Belarusian government stated that this step was intended to help create conditions for a peaceful resolution of the armed conflict in the neighboring country. The transfer of the pardoned individuals took place on the afternoon of November 22.
As the UOJ reported, the Vatican commented on the peace plan for Ukraine, noting that both sides would have to compromise.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.