Today the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Excellency Mr. Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, who also met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by the Reverend Mirosław Wachowski, under-secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial talks at the Secretariat of State, mutual appreciation for the sound bilateral relations was expressed, and commitment in favour of social cohesion was renewed. In this context, particular attention was paid to the question of anthropology and matters regarding the family and education.

The international framework was also explored, focusing on the continuing instability in Ukraine and the prospects for peace, as well as the fragile truce in Israel and Palestine and the serious humanitarian emergency in Gaza.

From the Vatican, 14 February 2025