BREST, 26 October (BelTA) - 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, led Holy Mass in Brest on 26 October. While addressing the faithful, he shared his thoughts about Belarusians, BelTA has learned.
The festivities to celebrate the anniversary of the Pinsk Diocese are scheduled to span several days. The previous day, events were held at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pinsk. The celebrations in Brest took place at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. At first the Pope's special envoy held a meeting with young people, and then, during the Holy Mass, he led the liturgy. He came holding a bouquet of cornflowers that had been presented to him by one of the faithful.
The Pope’s special envoy thanked all the clergy who have contributed significantly to the development of the Pinsk Diocese over the past century. “I placed the flowers given to me during the procession on the altar. They embody all Belarusians. It is comforting to think that, like these flowers, all of you are laid upon the altar of honor and praise to the Holy Trinity. You are as beautiful as these flowers," the Cardinal remarked.
He addressed the youth with special words. “Sometimes, there is a lack of self-pride in the Belarusian character. But you should know that you are simply wonderful, and that there are no second-class peoples. You speak little, but that does not mean you think little. It means you are wiser. Your silent heart grows from unspoken feelings,” he said.
He addressed the Belarusian faithful, saying: “Thank you for who you are. I will tell Pope Leo XIV about these eyes and faces. I envy the nuncio who will continue to see these faces in Belarus. I served here for four years and returned home content, yet filled with nostalgia. May God watch over you, bless you, and give you the strength to live in hope.”
The Pinsk Diocese was founded on 25 October 1925. It is now one of the four Catholic dioceses in Belarus and covers Brest Oblast and Gomel Oblast.
The festivities to celebrate the anniversary of the Pinsk Diocese are scheduled to span several days. The previous day, events were held at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Pinsk. The celebrations in Brest took place at the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. At first the Pope's special envoy held a meeting with young people, and then, during the Holy Mass, he led the liturgy. He came holding a bouquet of cornflowers that had been presented to him by one of the faithful.
The Pope’s special envoy thanked all the clergy who have contributed significantly to the development of the Pinsk Diocese over the past century. “I placed the flowers given to me during the procession on the altar. They embody all Belarusians. It is comforting to think that, like these flowers, all of you are laid upon the altar of honor and praise to the Holy Trinity. You are as beautiful as these flowers," the Cardinal remarked.
He addressed the youth with special words. “Sometimes, there is a lack of self-pride in the Belarusian character. But you should know that you are simply wonderful, and that there are no second-class peoples. You speak little, but that does not mean you think little. It means you are wiser. Your silent heart grows from unspoken feelings,” he said.
He addressed the Belarusian faithful, saying: “Thank you for who you are. I will tell Pope Leo XIV about these eyes and faces. I envy the nuncio who will continue to see these faces in Belarus. I served here for four years and returned home content, yet filled with nostalgia. May God watch over you, bless you, and give you the strength to live in hope.”
The Pinsk Diocese was founded on 25 October 1925. It is now one of the four Catholic dioceses in Belarus and covers Brest Oblast and Gomel Oblast.
Claudio Gugerotti served as the Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus from 2011 to 2015.
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