12 May 2009
Cardinal Bertone: Benedict XVI pleased about meeting with Belarus President
MINSK, May 12 (BelTA) – Pope Benedict XVI was pleased with the meeting with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Secretary of State of Pope Benedict XVI Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone told the ONT channel, BelTA learnt from Minsk Metropolitan Curia of the Roman-Catholic Church. “Your President was very well prepared for the meeting; he had studied and understood the mindset of the Pope. Alexander Lukashenko and the Pope discussed a wide range of issues, including the relations between the religious faith and mind, science and religion. They had an interesting conversation and Alexander Lukashenko made it clear that he highly appreciates the position of Pope Benedict XVI,” the Cardinal said. “I think that this meeting per se made Belarus and the Catholic Church even closer,” he added. Tarcisio Bertone reminded the reporters that during the meeting with the Belarusian leader concrete issues were considered and a possibility to sign a framework agreement between Belarus and the Vatican was analyzed. This agreement is in preparation. “We hope that this document will be signed in the near future,” the Cardinal said. “I told the President that the agreement can be signed anywhere, but it would be given more weight if it were signed here, in the hall of agreements and negotiations,” he added.БЕЛТА