Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 2 February (BelTA) - Archbishop Metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Belarus Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz shared the details of his meeting with Pope Francis with the media, BelTA learned from Vatican Radio.

The Catholic bishops of Belarus met with Pope Francis on 1 February. The meeting focused on the structural changes in the Roman Catholic Church, nuances in the Belarusian legislation, the training of future priests and the youth, and also a possible visit of the Pope to Belarus.

“The Pope said that the visit is impossible in 2018 as the year is already fully scheduled. He said, however, that he would like to come to Belarus very much. He dreams of visiting our country. The Pope gave us hope that the visit, as I see it, can take place in the near future,” Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz said.

The Pope also inquired about the problems of the family, the education of youth, training of priests, relationship with the state, with other faiths. The Belarusian bishops told the Pope about the strong piety of the people, thanks to which the faith was preserved and passed on to new generations. The Pope was interested to know how the church works with the youth. It was with great joy that he learned about youth vigils, eparchial meetings, as well as the nationwide meeting of Belarusian youth meeting due in Grodno this year, Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz said.

The Catholic Bishops of Belarus are in the Vatican with an ad limina apostolorum visit (visiting the thresholds of the tombs of the Apostles) on 31 January-7 February. During the visit, the Belarusian bishops are set to hold 12 meetings with the leaders of the 12 Vatican Dicasteries. Moreover, the Belarusian bishops will celebrate masses in Four Papal Basilicas of Rome: the Basilica of St Peter, the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls,the Arch-Basilica of St John Lateran and the Basilica of St Mary Major.