MINSK, 27 April (BelTA) - “We are close ideologically, we share the same principles and views on the world order, on development,” Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko about Pope Francis. The head of state met with the Pontiff in 2016 and the meeting was be really warm. In the new episode of BelTA's YouTube project “How It Was. DOC” we have collected the footage of Aleksandr Lukashenko's visit to the Vatican.
The Belarusian president was received in the Vatican with all honors. Swiss guards were lined up in St. Damaso courtyard at the Vatican waiting for Aleksandr Lukashenko's car. The president was met by the Prefect of the Holy See, who escorted the Belarusian leader to the Vatican Library. It was here that the meeting with the Pontiff took place.
The meeting lasted about 40 minutes, 25 minutes of which the president and the Pontiff talked one-on-one. Aleksandr Lukashenko presented the Pontiff with a copy of the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, a model of a carriage and a holographic icon. He also invited Pope Francis to Belarus. The Pope, in turn, presented the president with three documents written by him on the Gospel, nature protection and family. Another gift from the Pontiff was an artistic representation of an olive tree, which is a symbol of peace.
Later, the head of state shared his impressions of the conversation with journalists. “It was a personal meeting. It went very well; it just couldn't have gone better. We are close ideologically, we share the same principles and views on the world order, on development,” the president told reporters.
The meeting lasted about 40 minutes, 25 minutes of which the president and the Pontiff talked one-on-one. Aleksandr Lukashenko presented the Pontiff with a copy of the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, a model of a carriage and a holographic icon. He also invited Pope Francis to Belarus. The Pope, in turn, presented the president with three documents written by him on the Gospel, nature protection and family. Another gift from the Pontiff was an artistic representation of an olive tree, which is a symbol of peace.
Later, the head of state shared his impressions of the conversation with journalists. “It was a personal meeting. It went very well; it just couldn't have gone better. We are close ideologically, we share the same principles and views on the world order, on development,” the president told reporters.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the principles he follows as president fully coincide with the principles of Pope Francis. “Based on this, we had a very heartfelt and warm conversation,” the Belarusian leader added.
For more details, please watch the latest episode of our YouTube project “How IT Was. DOC.”
Follow us on:
