Pope meets Slovenian Prime Minister

Pope Francis on Thursday received in private audience in the Vatican, Prime Minsiter Marjan Šarec of Slovenia.  Šarec later met Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin along with Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher.

“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,” the Holy See Press Office said in a communique. 

The Holy See and Slovenia acknowledged the positive contribution of the Catholic Church to the life of the country, especially in relation to education.  They expressed hope that cooperation in this field may be further strengthened with appropriate institutional initiatives.

The two sides also exchanged 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.