Lukashenko and the Pope's special envoy Gudzherotti confirmed the importance of dialogue for mutual understanding in the world.
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, met with the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in the Vatican, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"I am well aware of the details of your visit. I am very glad that you remembered Belarus and that you liked Belarus, that you liked our people. Everyone. Not only Catholics, Orthodox. But other people as well. Even Muslims received your visit very well. This indicates that your footprint in Belarus, excuse the tautology, is not without a trace," said the head of state. "Therefore, I am sincerely glad to meet with you. I remember all our meetings, conversations, negotiations, commitments that we fulfill, have fulfilled, or something we have not fulfilled - today we will talk frankly and friendly about this. I am very glad to meet and discuss all the issues that may have accumulated in our relations."
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti is visiting Belarus as a special envoy of Pope Leo XIV to participate in the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Pinsk Diocese. It was founded on October 25, 1925, and is now one of four Catholic dioceses in Belarus, covering the territories of the Brest and Gomel regions. The Vatican representative served as Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus from 2011 to 2015.
Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Claudio Gugerotti on his very successful service: "I also observe closely. I am very happy for you. And I always believe that there is a small piece of the Belarusian soul in your success. Therefore, we welcome you here. Come at any time. I do not know what visa he needs. He is practically Belarusian."
For his part, Claudio Gugerotti confirmed that obtaining a visa is necessary, and it takes about 15 days to get it.
"No, we will resolve the issue so that you can come to Belarus at any time without any 15 days. You are not a stranger to us," assured the Belarusian leader.
Claudio Gugerotti noted that he is very pleased that the Pope chose him for the trip to Belarus for the festive events. "Maybe because he knows that I like Belarus," he said.
"Such a celebration in Pinsk, Brest, Gomel. The meeting with the people was magnificent. Because you can see that they are smiling. I feel that there is hope. There are young people. There are boys, children. This means that they understand that the future is bright if we all work together," emphasized Claudio Gugerotti.
Speaking about the existing problems in Europe and the world, the Vatican representative pointed out that various differences should not hinder dialogue. "Dialogue is important. Looking into each other's eyes, understanding that we have the same thing - a soul. Then everything is possible when you feel that you respect and love a person. The future is in our hands and in God's hands," he declared.
"I completely agree," said Alexander Lukashenko.