MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 19 October 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 18 October): BRATISLAVA – The Holy See has agreed to temporarily scrap the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on 15 September which will be suspended as a day of rest next year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry's communications department told TASR on Saturday, adding that Vatican confirmed this in a diplomatic note through the Apostolic Nunciature in Slovakia. "The decision to temporarily cancel 15 September as a public holiday is the result of the difficult consolidation measures required by the current economic situation. It is not a decision we took lightly, but we took it as part of government's responsible approach," said Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD), pointing out that the ministry had conducted a series of diplomatic notes and consultations with the Holy See on the matter. Blanar further stressed that the whole process was a standard framework of international communication, by which Slovakia ensured that the government's proposal was consulted in advance and formally approved by the Holy See. "Above all, Slovakia respects the principles of international law and the treaty obligations to which it subscribes as a sovereign and responsible state. Even in the case of the temporary cancellation of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, we've acted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the basic treaty with the Holy See and the rules of international law," added Slovakia's chief diplomat. BRATISLAVA – New Ordinary of the Slovak Armed Forces Pavol Sajgalik received episcopal ordination in Bratislava on Saturday, with his predecessor, Frantisek Rabek, being the main consecrator. The co-consecrators were Chair of the Slovak Bishops Conference (KBS) and Archbishop of Kosice Bernard Bober, and Archbishop of Bratislava Stanislav Zvolensky. He was appointed to the post at the end of May this year by Pope Leo XIV. Sajgalik was ordained a priest on 15 August 1993. From that year until 2005 he held several offices in the Slovak Province of the Friars Minor of the Capuchins. In 2004, he joined the Ordinariate of the Slovak Armed Forces, where he served as a police chaplain in Bratislava. From 2006 to 2019 he was a member of the Priests' Council. He also achieved a doctorate in pastoral theology from the University of Vienna. Sajgalik also served as a hospital chaplain at St. Michael's Hospital in Bratislava. BRATISLAVA – New Ordinary of the Slovak Armed Forces Pavol Sajgalik has all the prerequisites to master his mission and continue the work started by his predecessor Frantisek Rabek, which is confirmed by his professional and moral qualities as well as his personal story, President Peter Pellegrini said in his speech at the episcopal consecration of the bishop in Bratislava on Saturday. "The mission of the Armed Forces is to protect peace, law and order. The mission of the Church is - among other things - to strive for reconciliation among the people. The importance of this mission is much more urgent today than it was in the recent past. It can only be fulfilled with devotion and love in the heart. With love for one's country, for the people who live here," said the head of state, wishing him strength, endurance and success. He added that the message of hope, faith, tolerance, mutual understanding and solidarity is also important for the entire Slovak society. The president also recalled the predecessor of the second bishop of the Ordinariate, Rabek, who, according to him, built the service practically from scratch during his 22 years of work. Above all, Pellegrini said, Rabek confirmed the importance of the ministry for the men and women in the Armed Forces. How important it is for them to have someone to talk to about their feelings, to be able to confide in, but also to draw spiritual strength. He pointed out their conditions, the burden, the risk, the constant readiness to intervene and also the enormous responsibility. ROME - Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) and Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) signed a memorandum of understanding with Director General of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Qu Dongyu in Rome, Italy, the Environment Ministry's communications department told TASR on Saturday, adding that it will help Slovakia to become a self-sufficient country and exploit its potential. Takac stated that it's important for him that Slovakia's voice on agricultural issues is clear, strong and respected in the world. "Agriculture and rural development are clear priorities of the current government. Our goal is to keep people in the countryside and to make work in this sector fundamentally more attractive," said the head of the Agriculture Ministry, adding that the signing of the memorandum strengthens international cooperation in the fields of agriculture, food, forestry and sustainable development. "We want a fair and safe agriculture for those who want to not only feed the world but also protect it," noted Takac. According to Taraba, Slovakia is one of the three best countries in the EU for crop production and agricultural primary production. "We have an ideal climate, enough of water and fertile soil. We want to exploit Slovakia's huge potential and promote agrarian production and agriculture with higher added value," pointed out Taraba, adding that Slovak agriculture needs to be improved and uncultivated farmland needs to be brought back into cultivation. In the memorandum, the ministers and the FAO director general expressed their common interest and willingness to actively cooperate in the areas of transforming sustainable agri-food systems, food security and rural support. They also want to involve more Slovak university students in FAO programmes to gain practical experience and use modern technologies and innovative approaches. KOSICE - A total of 2,300 homeless people have been identified in Kosice, including 1,304 adults and 996 children who live with their parents in institutions or in inappropriate housing, while approximately 150 people live directly on the streets, according to the results of a coordinated census of homeless people aimed at helping to target assistance in a better way. The largest concentration of homeless people in Kosice is found in the Old Town, the notoriously poor Roma borough of Lunik IX and in the South borough. More than 43 percent of adults were found to be living in substandard housing, such as shacks or sheds. In terms of age, the middle generation was represented the most. Among the homeless, the majority were people living alone and without children. At the same time, 78 percent of homeless people in Kosice have permanent residence in the city. Family and financial problems were the most frequent reasons for the loss of a home. "About 63 percent of people have been homeless for a long time, more than five years. A related finding that also requires further action is that [among those living] in this non-standard and substandard housing, up to 27 percent said that they'd never had stable housing in the past - be it rented or owned accommodation. These are actually people who were born into housing need," researcher at the Institute for Work and Family Research Darina Kvalova told a briefing this week. am