The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, Marek Eštok, emphasized the Vatican's significant role in international diplomacy during his recent visit to the Holy See. Eštok highlighted the Vatican's unique position as a "messenger of peace," a diplomatic player in peace negotiations, and a provider of humanitarian aid in war-torn areas. His talks on November 12, 2024, with Miroslav Wachovský and Daniel Pach, both undersecretaries of the Holy See's State Secretariat, focused on the strong bilateral relations between Slovakia and the Vatican. These ties are reflected in high-level visits and growing cooperation between church and academic representatives.
Eštok reiterated that both Slovakia and the Vatican consistently advocate for peaceful conflict resolution, underscoring that "it is in the strong interest of the Slovak Republic that the world works on the basic principles of the United Nations." He also expressed Slovakia's openness to discussing updates to the multilateral system to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Both sides agreed that effective multilateralism and functional international organizations are essential to preventing and resolving global tensions.
Eštok also noted the long-standing partnership between Slovakia and the Vatican, citing the presence of Slovak professors at pontifical universities and the work of Slovak nationals within the Holy See. He recalled Cardinal Jozef Tomko, the highest-ranking Slovak in the Vatican, who passed away in 2022. "I am extremely glad that the Slovak Historical Institute was opened last year in the premises where Cardinal J. Tomko lived and worked," he said after visiting the institute in Rome.
As the Vatican prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Year, with the theme "Pilgrims of Hope," Slovakia is expected to have a significant presence, with Slovak pilgrims set to be received by Pope Francis in April 2025. This Jubilee will mark the 27th in the church's history, following the first Jubilee declared by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 and the Great Jubilee of 2000 under Pope John Paul II.
Source: TASR
