MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) - It was important for me to get to know the Belarusian people and their traditions, outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus Ante Josic told the media following the meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk on 23 August, BelTA has learned.
"We talked about my work over the past four years, about various events within the church, the state and around Belarus," the Vatican representative shared the details of the meeting.
The Apostolic Nuncio also noted: "I am grateful to the state that I was given the opportunity to work in this country. I have been here for almost four years working not only for our Catholic Church but also for the benefit of society, your people. I am glad that I had this opportunity to work, to learn more about your people, language, culture and together with the state to solve various specific issues - the problems of the Church, clergy, believers and other issues that we managed to solve."
"Of course, it was a difficult time. But it was also a big challenge for me – to take every effort for the benefit of people," Ante Josic noted.
The Roman Catholic Church in the Republic of Belarus is the second denomination in terms of the number of believers. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Holy See were established on 11 November 1992. The Apostolic Nunciature operates in Minsk. Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the Vatican twice on official visits - in 2009 and 2016. In 2016, the president extended an invitation to the Pope to visit Belarus. In 2008-2023, Minsk hosted 12 visits of representatives of the Roman Curia, including two visits of secretaries of state of the Holy See, who were received by the head of state
In October 2017, Deputy Secretary of State Giovanni Becciu attended the official opening of the new building of the Apostolic Nunciature in Minsk timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Holy See. In November-December 2022, the Vatican organized a number of events in Minsk for the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations - a festive reception, joint postage stamp dedication ceremony, presentation of the translation of the Code of Canon Law into Belarusian prepared by the Vatican. High representatives of the Vatican regularly participate in celebrations on the occasion of significant dates related to Catholicism in Belarus.
The approaches of Belarus and the Holy See on key issues on the international agenda largely coincide: the need to reform the Helsinki Pact, hopes for the revival of the principle of multilateralism and impartiality in the UN, the value of dialogue as the only true way to resolve conflicts, the understanding that the topic of food security should stand above the political situation. Minsk and the Vatican maintain productive relations in the UN and are focused on combating human trafficking, protecting the natural family and traditional family values.
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