Today the Holy Father received in audience His Excellency Mr. Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia, 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, which took place in the Secretariat of State in the context of the thirtieth anniversary of the recognition of Slovenia by the Holy See and the establishment of diplomatic relations, appreciation was expressed for the positive bilateral relations and the ongoing dialogue between the Church and the Slovenian civil authorities.

Attention then turned to various matters of an international and regional nature, such as regional cooperation, the enlargement of the European Union to the western Balkan countries, and the situation in Ukraine.

From the Vatican, 7 February 2022