MINSK, 4 December (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko hopes to meet with Pope Francis. The head of state made the statement on 4 December at the meeting with Apostolic Nuncio in Belarus Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti who is completing his diplomatic mission in Belarus, BelTA has learned.
The President of Belarus asked the Archbishop to tell Pope Francis that he would like to meet with him. “I would like to discuss a lot of things with this person whom I respect a lot,” Alexander Lukashenko said.
He praised the work of Claudio Gugerotti in Belarus. “You have always supported us. We have done a lot to establish good ties and I believe in the future we will do our best to organize the top-level meeting with the Pope. I respect him a lot. I obtain information from mass media, his trips and statements. I like his stance regarding the respect to the poorest people, fight against corruption, honesty and justice. I am glad that such a person leads the Catholics today.”
Alexander Lukashenko also noted: “You see that we are doing our utmost to support our Catholics. This pertains to the theology school where we will train our priests (at present Italians will help us). We have already discussed this issue with you. We will welcome any priest who will arrive in our country and will respect our people, will work in the best interest of our state as you have always been doing.”
