MINSK, 22 December (BelTA) – Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei commented on the outcomes of the visit of Claudio Gugerotti, Apostolic Nuncio to the United Kingdom and a special envoy of Pope Francis, to Belarus, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Vladimir Makei told reporters that the special envoy of Pope Francis brought a letter for the Belarusian president. “This letter contains a request related to a well-known personality, Metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz. Out of deepest respect for the Pope and because of good personal relations, the Belarusian head of state considered it possible to meet the Pope's request and gave an instruction to find a solution to the issue, taking into account all available legal mechanisms. The upcoming great holiday of Christmas and festive events were an additional reason to take this decision on Metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz despite a number of negative things about this person,” the minister said.
Describing the relations between Belarus and the Vatican in general, Vladimir Makei emphasized that the two states have established very close and friendly relations based on trust. “Both the Republic of Belarus and the Vatican State always discuss all cooperation-related issues in an open and candid way,” he added. “By the way, we closely cooperate with the Vatican within the framework of various international organizations. We support each other virtually across all areas of international, regional and bilateral agenda,” the minister added.
“I believe that it is very important that the Belarusian head of state and the head of the Vatican, Pope Francis, maintain very close friendly, personal contacts. I know that Belarus' president looks up to Pope Francis and admires his activities. Similarly, Pope Francis treats Belarus with love and affection. And, of course, he cares about Belarus, its prosperity and welfare,” the minister added.
