(ANSA) - VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis received in the Vatican apostolic palace Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who then met with the secretary of state cardinal Pietro Parolin and Msgr. Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

''During the 'cordial' talks - the Holy See press office press office reported - satisfaction was expressed with the good state of bilateral relations and some issues of common interest were discussed, with particular reference to the life of the Church in Belarus and peaceful coexistence between Catholic and Orthodox communities in the country, as well as between other religions. Moreover, the importance of the role played by Minsk was underlined. The city hosted recent talks aimed at finding solutions for peace in the region''. A medallion depicting the olive tree, symbol of peace, was gifted by the pope to Lukashenko.

''Take it to Minsk so that the capital may be the city of peace'' the Pope said, according to those who attended the meeting. Minsk, capital of Belarus, is among other things the city of peace agreements to stop the war in Ukraine, and Bergoglio has repeatedly drawn attention to this conflict. Lukashenko's audience with pope Francis lasted little 'more than 20 minutes and Belarusian president invited the pontiff to visit the country. Lukashenko gave the Pope a cross, an icon and small-scale model of a carriage, made of pasta. (ANSA).