Today the Holy Father Francis received in audience in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, His Excellency Mr. Marjan Šarec, prime minister of the Republic of Slovenia, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Msgr. Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, the parties focused on the good bilateral relations and expressed the hope that these may be consolidated through the signing of specific agreements on some matters of common interest. In addition, the positive contribution of the Catholic Church to the life of the country was highlighted, especially in relation to education, with the hope that cooperation in this field may be further strengthened with appropriate institutional initiatives.

Finally, there was an exchange of views on some themes of an international character, with particular reference to the future of the European project and the current challenges affecting the region.