BREST, 26 October (BelTA) – I am very pleased with my visit to Belarus, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in the Vatican and special envoy of Pope Leo XIV for the 100th anniversary of the Pinsk Diocese, told BelTA.
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti participated in the celebrations marking the anniversary of the Pinsk Diocese in two cities. The previous day, events were held Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pinsk and on 26 October at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Brest. The Pope's special envoy met with young people earlier that day and later led the liturgy during the Holy Mass. A parishioner presented him with a bouquet of cornflowers, and the Cardinal proceeded to the festive service holding them in his hands.
“I am very pleased with my visit. For me, Belarus is a second home. I find great joy in communicating with people, engaging with the Catholic community, which is growing and strengthening, and in communicating with my Orthodox friends (tomorrow I will meet with Metropolitan Veniamin) and meetings with local authorities. I am deeply impressed by the local people, their simplicity, and openness, who do not erect barriers between themselves and the person they see,” he said.
Claudio Gugerotti served as the Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus from 2011 to 2015. Addressing the faithful during the Mass, he noted that back then, he left Belarus content but with a sense of nostalgia. This time, he will take away new impressions. “I have met new people. Actually, I know Belarus very well. And the things new to me is, above all, the people I meet,” the Pope’s special envoy said.
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