Lukashenko calls on Pope to visit Belarus

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has urged Pope Francis to visit Belarus. The head of Belarus said that Pope Francis is “sincerely loved and respected” in the republic. The invitation sounded in the text of the Pontiff’s congratulations on his 88th birthday. This is reported by the press service of the President of Belarus.

“Let me confirm my admiration for your devotion to serving the world and the flock, the strength of faith and spirit, the ability to make friends with an open heart and soul. I am pleased to note the high level of interaction and the active development of relations between Belarus and the Vatican in many ways thanks to your efforts. I hope to meet you in person, which will undoubtedly give impetus to the comprehensive strengthening of Belarusian-Vatican ties. We will be very happy to see you on the Belarusian land, where you are sincerely loved and appreciated,” — the message of greetings reads.

Earlier, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko revealed the details of the exchange of Metropolitan of Tulchin and Bratslav Jonathan (Yeletskyi). According to Lukashenko, Metropolitan Jonathan was exchanged for prisoner of war saboteur Nikolai Shvets, who tried to blow up the military transport plane A-50 on the territory of the military airfield in Machulishchi. In addition, according to the President of Belarus, no clergymen were involved in this process.