Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88, leaving an impact on millions of people worldwide. His death has sparked tributes from Slovak political leaders who praised his compassion, humility, and dedication to peace.
President Peter Pellegrini expressed his sorrow, describing Pope Francis as a rare individual whose words carried great meaning. Pellegrini recalled the Pope’s vision of a united nation and his powerful message about helping others. He emphasized the difference between celebrities and true moral authorities, like the Pope, whose legacy will remain as one of the most significant in history.
Prime Minister Robert Fico also paid tribute to the late Pope, calling him a great spiritual leader of love, dialogue, peace, and truth. Fico highlighted his personal encounters with the Pope, noting his ability to break down divisions and build bridges of unity. Former President Zuzana Čaputová echoed similar sentiments, describing the Pope as a man of extraordinary depth and wisdom, whose life was a testament to love and empathy, especially toward the marginalized. Čaputová recalled her conversations with the Pope, considering them among the greatest gifts of her life.
Other Slovak leaders, including Parliamentary Chairman Richard Raši and Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, expressed their condolences. Raši fondly remembered his personal meeting with Pope Francis in 2014 and his gift to the Pope from the people of Košice.
Further tributes came from ministers across the Slovak government. Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický called this year’s Easter Monday a sad day, remembering the Pope as a person of love and peace. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár noted that Pope Francis passed away during the Easter season, a time the Church celebrates resurrection and victory over death. Several ministers reflected on the Pope's remarkable relationship with Slovakia.
In 2021, as part of his four-day visit to Slovakia, the Pope met the country's top officials, including former President Zuzana Čaputová, former Parliamentary Chairman Boris Kollár, and Prime Minister Eduard Heger. Pope Francis also visited Eastern Slovakia, where he celebrated the Greek Catholic rite in Prešov and met with young people in Košice. While speaking to Roma in the run-down borough of Lunik IX in Košice, the pontiff said that prejudices and judgments only work to increase the distances between people. It was precisely the visit to the Roma borough that received the most attention in the foreign press.
In a key speech to Slovak religious and civil authorities in the Presidential Garden in Bratislava in September 2021, the pope said that despite many tests, Slovakia as a country in the heart of Europe has managed to integrate and differentiate itself in a peaceful manner. The history of Slovakia predestines it to be a messenger of peace in the heart of Europe. While the struggle for supremacy continues on various fronts, Slovakia should continue to reaffirm its message of integration and peace, and Europe should be characterised by solidarity beyond its borders, which can bring it back to the centre of history.
In light of Pope Francis’ passing, the Slovak Conference of Bishops has announced that church bells across Slovakia will ring daily at 3:00 p.m. until his funeral. Special masses will also be held in his honor. Archbishop Bernard Bober shared that Pope Francis had a special love for Slovakia:
“We thank God for giving us a Pope who, through his faithfulness to God's voice, wisely and decisively led the Catholic Church in the 21st century. With mercy and humor, he testified to the joy of life with God, giving hope and courage where it was missing.”
Source: TASR, STVR, en.rsi.sk
