Catholic priests Henrykh Akalatovich and Andzhei Yukhnevich, released two weeks ago, remain in Rome and are undergoing medical examinations, Katolik.life reported, citing believers.
It is known that Ks. Akalatovich was able to celebrate Holy Mass for the first time in two years, and Father Andzhei — for the first time in almost a year and a half.
For now, the priests are not taking part in public events and are not holding official meetings. According to believers, they have been advised to spend some time “in silence”. Archbishop Iosif Staneuski, who accompanied them, returned to Minsk last week.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has completed his apostolic journey and returned to Rome, which again raises the possibility that he may meet with the Belarusian priests, the outlet wrote.
In December 2024, Henrykh Akalatovich was sentenced to 11 years in prison under the article on state treason, accused of “spying for Poland and the Vatican”.
Andzhei Yukhnevich received his sentence in April this year. He was sentenced to 13 years in a penal colony. Last year, the priest was given 15 days for the white-red-white and Ukrainian flags on Facebook, and then several more administrative arrests. He never regained freedom after that.
Akalatovich and Yukhnevich were recognised as political prisoners.
A day after their release, reports appeared that the clergymen were in the Vatican.