{"id":138668,"date":"2025-05-18T18:29:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T15:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/138668\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"lukasenkas-gift-to-new-pope-sparks-questions","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/138668\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka’s gift to new pope sparks questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

May 18, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Ihar Sierhiejenka, speaker of the Belarusian House of Representatives, and Pope Leo XIV have met during the pontiff’s inauguration in the Vatican, the lower house reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sierhiejenka gave the pope a gift from Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka: an icon of Our Lady of \u017dyrovi\u010dy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the report, masters at the Russian Orthodox St. Elizabeth Convent in Minsk made it using the techniques of hand embossing, silvering and gilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The convent openly supports Russia’s military aggression and aids its army, without any reprimand from the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Belarusian opposition politician Pavie\u0142 \u0141atu\u0161ka, the convent organizes concerts and collects donations in support of the Russian military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sisters have publicly reported on sending “humanitarian aid” to Donbas residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At \u0141uka\u0161enka’s request, Sierhiejenka “cordially congratulated” Leo XIV on his inauguration and praised his ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He told the pope that he would be happy to welcome him to “hospitable Belarusian land.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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