Prime Minister Janša meets with Pope Leo XIV: Slovenia and the Holy See enjoy strong relations and close cooperation

SLOVENIA, October 5 - They also discussed current international affairs, efforts to promote peace, migration, the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, and the situation in the Western Balkans and the region’s European perspective.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised that relations between Slovenia and the Holy See were based on longstanding cooperation and solid foundations. The Holy See was among the first to recognise Slovenia’s independence and relations were further formalised by a bilateral agreement concluded in 2001 and ratified in 2004.

"We have built solid foundations for our relations over these 35 years," the Prime Minister said, adding that the possibility of further development of the existing agreement was also discussed. In his view, it would make sense to regulate certain issues on a more lasting basis, "so that they are enduring, rather than every government subsequently changing certain things".

At its previous regular session, the Government had already appointed the Slovenian members of a working group tasked with preparing the starting points for a possible amendment to the agreement. During today’s visit, the Prime Minister asked the Holy See to appoint its members of the working group, after which discussions on specific issues could begin.

Following the meeting, the Holy See also expressed appreciation for the good bilateral relations and the intention to further to develop cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The contribution of the Catholic Church to Slovenian society was also noted in the talks.

Moreover, the Prime Minister thanked the Holy See for its assistance in the return of sacred works of art that had been taken from Slovenian religious buildings and other sites during the Second World War and are now being returned to their original locations.

A significant part of the talks was devoted to the current situation in the world and efforts to promote peace. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation to the Pope for his moral voice and for the Holy See’s efforts at a time of major geopolitical change. He also placed particular emphasis on the ethical and moral aspects of the development and use of artificial intelligence.

"Such moral guidance is extremely important to ensure that humanity does not lose its way and descend into a dark age," the Prime Minister said, stressing the importance of the Holy See’s moral voice at a time "when the old international order has clearly passed, while a new one has yet to emerge".

Migration was also discussed. The Prime Minister described the Pope’s position as balanced, saying that, on the one hand, it recognises the right of countries to decide who may live in their territory, while, on the other, it emphasises respect for human dignity and international obligations towards people fleeing war, death and hardship.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the Pope’s views on peace, security and rearmament. "The Pope is certainly not an advocate of idealistic pacifism, but neither is he an advocate of reckless rearmament. He sees the world as it is and is working to make it what we would like it to be," he said.

The Prime Minister also invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Slovenia. The Pope has already received an invitation from the Slovenian bishops and the Prime Minister, while a formal invitation is also being prepared. "I believe that we will see the Pope visit Slovenia in the coming years," the Prime Minister said.

At the end of the meeting, they also exchanged gifts. Prime Minister Janša presented Pope Leo XIV with the poem Zdravljica (A Toast) in Slovenian and English, and a tennis racket signed by Slovenian tennis player Žiga Šeško. As a personal gift, he presented the Pope with a small cross from Macesnova gorica and copies of his two books.

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