President Pellegrini to Attend Inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV

Bratislava, May 16 (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini will leave for Rome on Sunday (May 18) to attend the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV on St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City, the President's Office has informed TASR, adding that Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) will join the delegation as well. After the mass, the head of state will have the opportunity to congratulate the Pope on his election in person. He also wants to express Slovakia's support for the Holy See in its efforts to promote peace, dialogue and mutual understanding in the world. Pellegrini has already congratulated the new Pope after his election via a social network, inviting him for an official visit to Slovakia. In the invitation, he highlighted Slovakia's interest in continuing the development of close and historically lasting relations with the Holy See. He also expressed Slovakia's readiness to actively participate in joint efforts towards peace, solidarity and understanding between nations. ko/df