Lukashenko visits Pope after decade-long travel ban

Belarusian president, Alexander Lukashenko, met with Pope Benedict XVI on Monday on his first visit to Western Europe after more than ten years of diplomatic isolation from the West.

Among the topics discussed during the 25-minute audience with the Pope, were Belarus domestic issues as well as issues relating to the Catholic church in Belarus.

Lukashenko has long been accused of suppressing human rights in his former Soviet republic. But icy relations with the West are starting to thaw. His meeting with the Pope and with members of the Italian government are an important first step, as improving relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church could be the first step toward bridging Belarus with Europe.
Although Belarus is about 60 percent Orthodox Christian and 14 percent Catholic, the faithful are faced with laws that restrict religious freedom, such as limiting the number of foreign priests.
Lukashenko made the visit to the Pope with his 5-year-old son, Nikolai, and ended the meeting with an invitation to the Pope to visit Belarus, maybe for the first meeting between a Pope and a Moscow Patriarch.
CS

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[poitrenaud]

Don't be disrespectful. This is a good thing, between the Pope and President Lukashenko.

[warpartyofone]

LONG LIVE PAPA!!!!

[poitrenaud]

@alwaysbehumble Very Disrespectful commentary

[paulmattt]

@t0xictreasure To Venezuela. Forever....

[t0xictreasure]

go lukashenko!!. :)))))

[alwaysbehumble]

Did the pope suck his dick or lick his balls?

[lilicooc100]

I whish russia would have such president,so neigbours would be much safe!

[involverrrrr]

Killer meets Pope... OMG!

[ashimov1970]

I admire Lukashenko. I wish my country had such a president

[lttrhd]

@Lukassenhoe You are probably american, only they like to put labels on people especially children!

[lttrhd]

@poitrenaud Excuse me, I too unfortunately live in USA and can assure you that there is no socialist plans under President Obama!  But you are right about belorussian people - they are famous for their kind and peaceful nature.

[phidelt135]

@poitrenaud Well I agree with you there. Belarus is a nice country with great people. Only one problem, these people will never stand up for their right. Even Hitler used to say that must never be exterminated because they make the best slaves. Now if we are getting personal, I was born in Belarus and am very happy to be in a Western Country where I am a free citizen of the world. Yes Holland is a great alternative as is the US.

[poitrenaud]

@makthnife Yes; I do not like President Obama's socialist plans. I too unfortunately, live in the Nation that started all this socialism, France--

and it is a travesty, to say the least.

I am married to a Belarusian woman, we own an apartment there, and I travel from USA to Belarus often. It is really a safe, kind-natured and pretty country, with nice people. It is very secure, and the culture is very rich-

It is still very good that the Pope and President Lukashenko met. Dialogue is good

[poitrenaud]

@phidelt135 it was the Soviet System of Collectivism that did that; not President Lukashenko-

If Russia and the Western Sanctions would leave Belarus alone, they could be like a small, Slavic Switzerland-

it's a nice country with nice people.

I love to visit and I own an apartment there with my wife. I do not feel repressed nor that I am in a communist or totalitarian state. President Lukashenko is strict, but look at the alternative: Holland?

Look what "liberalism" is causing in USA?

[makthnife]

@poitrenaud thats like saying Hitler (Luk's hero) and Roosevelt having tea wouldve been nice. Get read. Luk is a nut and needs to be exterminated, just as he's doing to the people of Belarus. There is nothing respecful about repressing people, and trying to return Belarus to communist rule, with an Iron Fist. Open your eyes. Us Americans are having a hard time doing so, especially with that travesty NOBama. Perhaps YOU can make the difference we are lacking.....

[Lukassenhoe]

There is something wrong with this little boy - I've seen many autistic children - and that boy looks like he has autism.

[EagleEyeArt]

@phidelt135

Well if whole world closes him... And only former soviet countries talk with him.

If i compare democration to other country ... well i dont start...

[aaron1983]

I love those artwork!!!! Godbless President Lukashenko, and his very cute little son. :) God bless the Pope and may St. Michael protect him. :)

[phidelt135]

@EagleEyeArt Actually he reduced the country to almost nothing after being a breadbasket for central Europe....

[EagleEyeArt]

Lukashenko rocks!

Dont U say anything. A farmer who build a country from almost nothing to what it is now.

We all need manners and he is right to do it.

[EUGENESSXELITVIN]

Long live Papa !

Lukashenka go to Hell !!!

[poitrenaud]

okey-

Thanks for writing.

Lots of people make mistakes in language-

People try to speak French and it is a very hard language, and I try not to make fun of them-

[samandyk]

I didn't say anything about the meeting. My remarks were about the commentator's insulting ignorance. She can't even pronounce Belarus and Belarusian.