President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar at a private audience with Pope Francis

The Holy See plays an important role in the international community in promoting peace, dialogue and understanding between nations and in protecting human rights. “Slovenia has therefore always paid special attention to the initiatives and statements of Pope Francis. We are united in our commitment to tolerant dialogue and to promoting policies that unite, not divide. The Pope is aware of the importance of the respectful public word, and politics plays a key role in this,” the President of the Republic summed up the audience.

The situation in Ukraine was also the focus of much of the conversation. The President supports Pope Francis’ call that Ukraine deserves our help, peace, and a life free from fear, explosions and devastation. They agreed that there must be a lasting and just peace, acceptable first to the Ukrainian side. We will continue our financial assistance to Ukraine. “We have contributed €30 million so far and an additional €1 million to the Grain from Ukraine initiative. We have increased humanitarian aid for a number of humanitarian programmes; one of our strategic partners is Karitas Slovenia, with which we are implementing over 30 humanitarian and development projects, and we are also working together to support poverty alleviation in Madagascar, where the great Slovenian missionary Pedro Opeka is working,” said President Pirc Musar.

Since the beginning of his pontificate, the Pope has paid particular attention to climate change, which is why it was also the subject of today's discussion. The current floods, which have hit Italy the hardest, along with Slovenia and Croatia, are proof that our attitude towards the planet is still too uncaring, according to the President. “The natural environment is given to people in custodianship, not ownership. Slovenia promotes cooperation in international organisations to preserve the environment, the right to drinking water is enshrined in our Constitution and we have worked to ensure that the right to live in a healthy environment is recognised as a human right. We see Pope Francis as a close ally in addressing these issues,” added the Slovenian President, who also met today with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Yesterday, at the Pontificio Collegio Sloveno, the President met with Slovenians living in the Vatican and Cardinal Franc Rode. The audience with the Pope marks the end of the official visit to Italy and the conclusion of the President’s familiarisation visits to neighbouring countries.