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Belarus’ president pardons two catholic priests

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MINSK, 20 November (BelTA) - Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko pardoned two Catholic priests convicted of serious crimes against the state, BelTA has learned.

This decision was made taking into account the intensification of contacts with the Vatican, as well as the principles of goodwill, mercy, and the Jubilee Year proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church.

In a statement published on the official website of the Roman Catholic Church, the press service of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Belarus expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the release of the imprisoned priests: Father Genrikh Okolotovich and Father Andzej Yukhnevich.

The statement noted that thanks to the head of state and representatives of the Apostolic See, the momentum in bilateral relations based on traditional values, fraternity, religious tolerance, and respect for believers has been maintained.

The Roman Catholic Church in Belarus welcomes the positive trends in the state’s international relations and the strengthening of contacts with the Vatican.

“We are pleased with the visit of Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, special envoy of Pope Leo XIV, to Belarus in October 2025 and with the agreements reached. Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti has been a long-time friend of the Republic of Belarus, who has done a lot for the Catholic Church in our country, for the development of state-church relations and interfaith dialogue. His visit gave a positive impetus to further contacts, an important result of which was the decision of the president of the Republic of Belarus to pardon and release Catholic priests serving sentences in detention as a sign of mercy and respect for the Pope,” the statement reads.

It is stressed that direct and significant role in this process was played by Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in the Vatican Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus is Ignazio Ceffalia, and Head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus Archdiocese Iosif Stanevsky.

The statement also noted that, in proclaiming the Jubilee Year of Christianity in 2025, Pope Francis, in his Bull of Indiction Spes non confundit (Hope does not disappoint), called for the Holy Year to be embraced as a time of forgiveness, in accordance with the Church's historic tradition.

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