Veniamin Proposes Coordinating Papal Visit to Belarus With Head of Russian Orthodox Church

A possible visit by Pope Leo XIV to Belarus should be discussed with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, taking into account the opinion of the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. The statement was made by Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslaŭje Veniamin, head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, during his meeting with the Pope’s special envoy, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, on October 27.

At the meeting, Veniamin emphasized that Gugerotti is well known in Belarus and appreciated for his efforts to strengthen the country’s positive image abroad. The two discussed the “spiritual and religious situation in the world, the plight of Christians in the Middle East, and the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” according to the church’s press service.

Both sides noted the positive role of cooperation between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in Belarus and agreed on the importance of maintaining good and trusting relations “amid the current difficult global situation.”

The issue of the Pope’s visit to Belarus was also discussed. Veniamin stressed that such a visit is a special event for any country and suggested coordinating it with Patriarch Kirill, since the majority of believers in Belarus are Orthodox.

“In Belarus, relations between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches are developing positively, despite difficult periods in the country’s history. Both sides agreed that it is necessary to take into account the fact that the majority of the country’s believers belong to the Belarusian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, and that the issue of the visit should also be discussed with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, taking into consideration the opinion of the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church,” the statement said.

Gugerotti arrived in Belarus on October 25 to attend the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Pinsk Diocese. Today he also met with Alexander Lukashenko and Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhankou.