VATICAN, 23 May (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Pope Francis met in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on 21 May to discuss Belarus' relations with the Roman-Catholic Church, BelTA has learned.
The meeting between Alexander Lukashenko and Pope Francis lasted for about 40 minutes. 25 minutes of them the President and the Pope of Rome spent on the one-on-one talks. The meeting was held in a very warm and friendly atmosphere. In the presence of the members of the official delegation the parties exchanged presents. The Belarusian head of state presented the Pope with the cope of the Cross of Saint Euphrosyne made in a unique woodcarving technology, a model of a carriage made in the same technique, and also a holographic icon. The President noted that the icon combined the history and the modern time in itself.
Pope Francis presented the President with his three documents about the Gospel, nature protection and the family. Alexander Lukashenko promised to read them and hand them for keeping in the Presidential Library. Another present from the Pope was an artwork featuring an olive tree, the symbol of peace. The Pope of Rome emphasized the peaceful mission Belarus has undertaken. “Minsk can be a place of peace,” he said.
The President of Belarus invited Pope Francis to attend the exhibition of Belarusian icons which has been running in the museums of the Vatican these days. Alexander Lukashenko also invited the Pope to visit Belarus.
The President of Belarus also met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
