Pope Benedict XVI welcomes new Ambassador of Slovenia

(October 22, 2010) Looking at the history of the Slovenian people it clearly brings out the imprint of the moral and spiritual values of Christianity, and at the same time of the first evidence of the Slovenian language and literature with manuscripts containing prayers and other religious texts, together with the beautiful churches and chapels arising in the territory, said Pope Benedict XVI. He was addressing the new Ambassador of Slovenia to the Holy See, Ms. Maja Marija Lovrenčić Svetek, on Friday at the Vatican during the presentation of the credentials. As the Slovenian nation is integrated into the European Union, it manifests the common Christian roots which in particular are due to the tireless and ardent missionary zeal of Sts Cyril and Methodius as they proclaimed the Gospel and the established Christianity in the heart of the Slavic peoples. The Pontiff expressed his appreciation to the strong democratic process in the country and the consolidation of peaceful coexistence and civil society and for the important step forward in an attempt to bring solution in situations where people had lost their right to residence, employment and health care. He called on the people of Slovenia to continue in this direction and hoped that they work together to reduce their suffering. Finally the Pope Benedict spoke of the specific mission of the Catholic Church today in Slovenia as in every part of the world, is to proclaim the Gospel and to bring salvation to every human person that comes from Jesus who will remain a sign of the vitality of the Church.