On Thursday morning, the whole world observed the funeral of the former Pope Benedict XVI that took place in the Vatican. Many heads of state and royalty, dozens of cardinals, bishops and representatives of other religious communities attended the funeral. Slovakia was represented by the interim Prime Minister Eduard Heger. Benedict XVI made history when he left the papal chair in 2013, and his resignation did not fail to surprise churchmen, believers and observers around the world, including Slovakia. Joseph Ratzinger was much less popular among Slovak believers than his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, the first Slavic Pope, who visited Slovakia three times during his papacy and repeatedly expressed warm feelings towards Slovakia and its inhabitants. Benedict XVI never paid a visit to Slovakia as Pope.
Source: RTVS, The Slovak Spectator
