US EditionBelarus frees two Catholic priests serving long jail terms after visit by Pope Leo's envoy
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned two priests convicted of serious state crimes after Vatican envoy Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti's visit, amid broader prisoner releases since mid-2024.
- On Thursday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned Henrykh Akalatovich and Andrzej Yukhnevich following diplomatic contacts with the Vatican.
- Last month, Vatican envoy Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti visited Belarus on behalf of Pope Leo, and state news agency Belta credited the visit with giving a 'positive impetus' amid intensified Vatican contacts.
- Akalatovich had been serving an 11-year sentence for treason after spying accusations, and Yukhnevich was sentenced earlier this year to 13 years for abuse charges he denied.
- The pardons follow last month’s Vatican envoy visit, as Lukashenko has freed several hundred prisoners to improve relations with Western governments.
- According to Viasna, 1,255 political prisoners remain in Belarus, including 29 priests and other religious believers.
39 Articles
39 Articles
2 Catholic priests freed in Belarus after visit of papal envoy to the country
By Paulina Guzik and Jonathan Luxmoore(OSV News) — Two Belarusian Catholic priests listed as political prisoners of the regime were freed Nov. 20, following the October visit of papal envoy to the country. Oblate Father Andrzej Juchniewicz, chairman of Major Superiors, Delegates and Representatives of Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life, and Father Henrykh Akalatovich, an elderly and unwell parish rector from Valožyn, were freed Nov. 20, …
Alexander Lukashenko releases two clergymen after "intensified contacts with the Vatican".
Belarus frees 2 imprisoned Catholic priests after talks with Vatican
TALLINN, Estonia — Two Catholic priests who were imprisoned on what human rights officials said were politically related charges were released from prison Thursday following talks with the Vatican, officials said. The move, which was confirmed by the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Belarus, comes amid speculation about warming relations between Minsk and the West after a phone call between authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and U.S. …
Belarus releases two jailed priests
Belarus released two jailed Catholic priests Thursday, in a diplomatic breakthrough for the Vatican.Alexander Lukashenko is sworn in for a seventh term as President of Belarus on March 25, 2025. Belta.by/wikimedia CC BY 3.0.The press service of the Belarusian bishops’ conference expressed gratitude Nov. 20 to all parties involved in securing the freedom of Fr. Henryk Okołotowicz and Fr. Andrzej Juchniewicz, O.M.I., who were imprisoned for allege…
Belarus pardons 2 Catholic priests after talks with Vatican
The priests’ release was credited in part to Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, pictured here celebrating the seventh Novendiales Mass for Pope Francis on May 2, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA CNA Staff, Nov 20, 2025 / 12:12 pm (CNA). Two Catholic priests in Belarus will be released from prison in an act of “goodwill” after national leaders engaged in talks with the Vatican.The state media organ Bel…
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