President Pellegrini Urges Slovaks to Choose Compassion Over Division

Bratislava, 15 September (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini urges people to choose compassion over division and solidarity over indifference, making the appeal on social media on the occasion of Tuesday's Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the patron saint of Slovakia. "May Slovakia be a good home for everyone — a country of respect, understanding, solidarity and humanity, where we look at one another with open hearts, help those who need it and never forget the power of a simple smile," the president posted. He also recalled Pope Francis' words that "the only time we can look down on a person is when we are helping them to get up". Slovaks have venerated Our Lady of Sorrows as their national patron since the 15th century. The first mention of the feast dates back to 1412. It was established for the entire Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XIII in 1727, who also authorised the veneration of Our Lady of Sorrows as the patron saint of Slovakia. The year 1732 is considered the official beginning of the tradition of pilgrimages to Our Lady of Sorrows, when the statue in Sastin was declared miraculous. Since then, Sastin has become one of Slovakia's most important pilgrimage sites. mf