Pirc Musar and Pope Francis discuss peace efforts
Vatican City, 5 December - President Nataša Pirc Musar and Pope Francis met in the Vatican on Thursday to discuss their efforts to bring an end to conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and other parts of the world as quickly as possible. Following her meeting with the Pope, President Pirc Musar also held talks with the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Vatican City, Vatican
President Nataša Pirc Musar (left) visits Pope Francis (right).
Photo: Vatican Media
Vatican City, Vatican
President Nataša Pirc Musar (left) visits Pope Francis (right).
Photo: Vatican Media
Pirc Musar stressed after the meeting the Holy See's significant role in the international community in promoting peace, dialogue, and understanding among nations. On X, she highlighted the traditionally friendly relations between Slovenia and the Vatican, as well as their ongoing dialogue.
According to the Vatican News portal, the meeting between the Pope and the Slovenian president lasted 25 minutes. This marked Pirc Musar's second visit to the Vatican during her term and her first official visit.
Pope Francis presented the president with a bronze artwork depicting a dove carrying an olive branch, inscribed with the words Be Messengers of Peace.
He also gifted her printed editions of several papal documents, this year's message for the World Day of Peace, and an English-language book titled Persecuted for Truth: The History of the Underground Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
In return, Pirc Musar gave the Pope a heart-shaped Slovenian wooden fruit tray and a box of gingerbread, Vatican News reported.
Later, the Slovenian president met with the Vatican secretary of state. Discussions at the Secretariat of State, as reported by Vatican News, highlighted the strong relations between the Holy See and Slovenia, as well as the Catholic Church's contribution to Slovenian society.
Some unresolved issues in Church-state relations were also mentioned, though details were not disclosed. The talks further addressed conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Western Balkans.
Pirc Musar's itinerary for the day also included a working lunch with her Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella at the Presidential Palace in Rome.