Pope condemns attack on Slovak Prime Minister

By Francesca Merlo

Pope Francis on Saturday sent a telegram to the President of the Slovak Republic, Zuzana Čaputová, conveying his sorrow and condemnation following the recent attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico.

In the telegram, which was shared through the Slovakian Embassy to the Holy See, Pope Francis writes, "I have learned with sorrow the sad news of the attack on the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, His Excellency Mr. Robert Fico, yesterday in Handlova, where the government meeting was held."

Condemning the incident, the Pope continued, "I condemn this vile and violent act and assure my prayers to the Lord for the prompt healing and recovery of the Prime Minister."

Pope Francis also extended his solidarity to the entire Slovak nation, emphasising his closeness to each person in this moment of trial, before imploring “the blessing of the Almighty upon you so that unity and peace may reign in your country."

The attack

Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, was shot multiple times following a political event on Wednesday afternoon.

On Thursday, a hospital official reported that Fico was in serious but stable condition and was being kept in intensive care after undergoing a five-hour surgery.

Slovak authorities have charged a man with attempting to kill the populist prime minister, stating that the suspect acted alone in what was described as a politically motivated attack.