A delegation of Belarus’ democratic forces, which included Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Diplomatic Advisor, Dzianis Kuchynski, and representatives of Christian Vision, took part in the funeral ceremony for Pope Francis at the Vatican. The delegation members offered their condolences to the Holy See and joined the memorial mass at St. Peter’s Square.
After the ceremony, Dzianis Kuchynski had the opportunity to hold a series of informal talks with leading world politicians. Key interlocutors included the presidents of Argentina, Albania, and Moldova, senators from Italy, and the foreign ministers of Ireland, the Netherlands, and Romania.
In addition, Mr. Kuchynski met with high-ranking representatives of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches – Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The discussions focused on the following issues:
- Ways to achieve the release of political prisoners and stop repression in Belarus;
- Belarus on the international agenda;
- Support for Belarusian civil society and independent media.
Dzianis Kuchynski: “One of my first major missions at Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office in 2020 was to establish contacts with the Vatican and deliver a letter from Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to Pope Francis through the Apostolic Nuncio in Lithuania. At that time, we were just beginning to build these ties, trying to convey the voice of the Belarusian people fighting for truth and freedom to the Holy See. Pope Francis believed that dialogue is the solution to any crisis. Therefore, today’s meetings at the Vatican are a continuation of that work and a testament that the Belarusian cause remains in the focus of influential international institutions and leaders”.
