The subject of national reconciliation was opened by PM Cerar, as the topic was also mentioned in a recently issued papal bull. "I touched on the right to a dignified burial and respecting all the victims of war and post-war killings. The pope expressed his support and said it was the sensible and right path to follow," said Cerar.

According to Slovenia's PM the state must function in mutual dialogue and understanding. "We cannot allow the relationship between believers and non-believers to be abused for political and ideological purposes."

Pope Francis and Slovenia's PM also talked about the importance of interpersonal values and the accepting of refugees in search of a better life in Europe. The two also discussed how the European Union would tackle the issue in the long run.

PM Cerar invited the pope to visit Slovenia, which Pope Francis remembers well from his visits in the 1970s.

On behalf of Slovenia PM Cerar presented the Vatican library with a copy of a collection of 7,752 facsimiles of prints, collected by Janez Vajkard Valvasor.

Mojca Širok, RTV Slovenija;
translated by K. J.