{"id":118597,"date":"2024-12-17T13:10:56","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T10:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/118597\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"lukasenka-reiterates-invitation-to-pope-francis-to-visit-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/118597\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka reiterates invitation to Pope Francis to visit Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Vatican Media Divisione)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

December 17, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka has praised Pope Francis for \u201ca high level of interaction and active development of relations\u201d between Belarus and the Vatican in his congratulatory message on the pontiff\u2019s 88th birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian ruler also reiterated his invitation to Pope Francis to visit Belarus, noting that the visit would “undoubtedly give an impetus to the comprehensive strengthening” of Belarusian-Vatican ties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We will be very happy to see you on the Belarusian land, where you are sincerely loved and appreciated,\u201d his press office quoted the message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the contested 2020 presidential election, the relationship between the state and the Roman Catholic Church deteriorated as many clerics and believers openly condemned violence and reprisals against peaceful protesters. Priests were arrested, tried and jailed, while some have fled Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 31 Catholic priests faced politically-motivated persecution since 2020, Chryscijanskaja Vizija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catholicism is the second-largest Christian denomination in Belarus. There are about 1.5 million Catholics, including more than 10,000 Greek Catholics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka met Pope Francis in the Vatican in May 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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