Two Catholic priests, previously accused of espionage, were pardoned in Belarus by presidential decree

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned and released two Catholic clergymen, Henryk Okolotovich and Andrzej Juchniewicz, previously convicted of serious crimes against the state. This decision was taken against the background of strengthening relations with the Vatican and in connection with the Jubilee Year of Christianity 2025, announced in the Roman Catholic Church.

According to BelTA, the decision to pardon was taken taking into account «the intensification of contacts with the Vatican, as well as the principles of goodwill and mercy.» The move is also timed to coincide with the Jubilee Year, which, according to Pope Francis’ bull Spes non confundit («Hope does not disappoint»), should be a time of forgiveness of errors in accordance with the historical tradition of the Church.

The press service of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Belarus expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the release of the priests. The statement, published on the official portal of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, notes that thanks to the head of state and representatives of the Apostolic See, the positive dynamics of bilateral relations are preserved. An important event that gave impetus to this process was the visit of the Pope’s high representative, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, to Belarus in October 2025.

In the message of the episcopate it is emphasized that Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, Iñacio Ceffalia, Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Belarus, and Archbishop Iosif Staniewski, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Belarus, took a direct and significant part in the process of liberation.

The Roman Catholic Church in Belarus welcomes the positive trends in international relations of the state and strengthening ties with the Vatican, considering the pardon as an important gesture of mercy and respect for the Pope.

Earlier, head of the Belarusian Exarchate of the Moscow Patriarchate Metropolitan Veniamin said that a possible visit of Pope Leo XIV to Belarus should be coordinated with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. This condition was voiced at a meeting with the Pope’s special envoy, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, which took place in Minsk on October 27.