Today the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Excellency Mr. Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions in the Secretariat of State, after recalling the Apostolic Journey in Slovakia last September, appreciation was expressed for the good bilateral relations and the role of the Church in society.

The talks continued with an in-depth discussion of the war in Ukraine and its impact at regional and international level, with particular attention to the humanitarian situation and the reception of war refugees.

From the Vatican, 14 March 2022