- A new mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows, Protectress of Slovakia, was inaugurated in the Vatican Gardens just before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, symbolizing the deep spiritual bonds between Slovakia and the Vatican, a sentiment reinforced by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini’s presence and his audience with Pope Leo XIV.
- The unveiling ceremony included prominent figures such as Archbishop Bernard Bober of Košice, who blessed the artwork, along with Cardinal Giovanni Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, highlighting the significance of this event within the Catholic Church’s hierarchy.
- President Pellegrini emphasized the shared values between Slovakia and the Holy See, including human dignity, true liberty, and open dialogue, further underscoring the strong relationship and mutual respect between the Central European nation and the Vatican on global issues.
- During his audience with Pope Leo XIV, discussions covered fostering social cohesion, promoting justice, safeguarding the family, and addressing critical geopolitical concerns such as the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, demonstrating the Vatican’s and Slovakia’s commitment to global peace and social well-being.
- Cardinal Gugerotti noted that the mosaic serves as a perpetual prayer for the Slovak people, who bravely maintained their Christian roots despite suffering under atheist communism, while Cardinal Giovanni Re expressed his joy over the artwork, recognizing Slovakia’s strong Catholic identity.
- The colorful mosaic, a creation of Greek Catholic priest and artist Father Kamil Dráb and a replica of an image from the Pontifical Slovak College in Rome, has been strategically placed near the bell used during the Great Jubilee of 2000 in the Vatican Gardens, signifying its prominent and lasting spiritual presence.
New Slovak Virgin Mary mosaic highlights spiritual bonds between Slovakia and Vatican
