Pope's visit to Belarus depends on Moscow's Patriarch

The visit of the Pope to Belarus is possible if Vatican's diplomatic protocol is observed, Belapan quotes the press office of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. The conditions include an official invitation of the head of the state and the consent of the leader of the local Orthodox Church. Belarus offered Pope Benedict XVI to visit Belarus by Alexander Lukashenka during his reception in Vatican on April 27. But it is Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill to make any decisions regarding a possible visit of the Pope to Belarus.

The Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church does not rule out that Belarus might become a meeting point between the Pope and the Patriarch. However, the conditions, time and the place of the meeting can be decided between the Patriarch and the Pope.