Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visited the Apostolic Nunciature in Vilnius today to leave a message in the book of condolences for former pope Benedict XVI.
Benedict XVI cared about Belarus, thus continuing the approach of his predecessor, St. John Paul II. It was during His Holiness' pontificate that the Cardinal Secretary of State of the Holy See first visited Belarus. Pope Benedict repeatedly addressed Belarusians in Belarusian. Addressing university students in Minsk in 2008, he encouraged them to “build a civilization of love”. No one at the time could have imagined how relevant and challenging this appeal would be 12 years later.
Archbishop Tadevush Kandrusievich has repeatedly invited the pontiff to Belarus. The Holy Father answered simply but realistically: “As God will allow and the doors will open”.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya noted in her message that the memory of Pope Benedict will always be in the hearts of Belarusians.
May God take him into His heavenly kingdom.
