MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – The Belarusian border service is ready to welcome an increased number of pilgrims, who would like to see the Pope during his visit to Lithuania, BelTA learned from Anton Bychkovsky, a spokesman for the State Border Committee of Belarus.
The Pope is expected to visit Baltic states on 22-25 September. He is expected to visit Vilnius and Kaunas in Lithuania, Riga and Aglona in Latvia, and Tallinn in Estonia. Anton Bychkovsky noted that passenger traffic across the border is always on the rise on a weekend. The figures may be inflated even further if Belarusian Catholics decide to join the Pope in Vilnius and Kaunas. “We are ready for it. If necessary, more personnel will be put on duty at border checkpoints. As for groups travelling by bus, they will get a dedicated channel,” said the official.
Many pilgrims from Belarus are intent on attending the events of the Lithuanian part of the Pope's visit. According to the official website of the Roman Catholic Church, some 1,500 people were registered as organized groups as of early August.
