(PHOTO) To Pope Leo XIV, a healer, a crucifix from the slaughterhouse, a tennis racket, and two books of John

Prime Minister Janez Janša met with Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City on October 5, 2026. During their meeting, Janša presented the pope with a copy of his book Zdravljica in both Slovenian and English, along with a signed tennis racket belonging to Žiga Sešek. He also gave the pontiff a cross from Mount Macesnova and another one of his books. According to the government communication office, the meeting took place at the Vatican and included discussions on international affairs, peace efforts, migration issues, ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, and developments on the Western Balkans and its European prospects. The relationship between Slovenia and the Vatican was a key topic during the talks. Prime Minister Janša noted that the two nations have built solid foundations over the past 35 years since the Vatican recognized Slovenia's independence. A bilateral agreement, signed in 2001 and ratified in 2004, formalized their relations. Janša mentioned that the current government aims to address unresolved issues between the state and the Church, including the possibility of upgrading the existing Vatican agreement. During the meeting, Janša thanked the Vatican for its assistance in returning sacred artworks taken from Slovenian religious sites during World War II. He praised the pope’s moral guidance regarding the use of artificial intelligence and his commitment to peace amid shifting global dynamics. On the issue of arms in Europe, Janša stated that the pope does not advocate for naive pacifism nor unconditional militarization. Instead, he sees the world as it is and works toward making it how he wants it to be. The Vatican highlighted the contribution of the Catholic Church to Slovenian society during the discussion. Topics such as political developments on the Western Balkans and the region’s future in the process of European integration were also addressed. Janša visited the Vatican as the first high-ranking Slovenian official to meet Pope Leo XIV. Earlier this year, President of the Republic Nataša Pirc Musar had visited the Vatican in late 2024 and met with Pope Francis. During his visit, Janša also met with Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states. He and his wife, Urška Bačovnik Janša, toured the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Rooms. Later in the day, Janša will continue his work visit in Rome with a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. They are expected to discuss bilateral relations and the status of the Slovenian community in Italy. Open questions include the control of the internal Schengen border with Slovenia, which Italy has extended repeatedly since October 2023, most recently until December 18. This marks the first time a Slovenian prime minister has visited the Vatican since Robert Golob made a similar trip in November 2023. Meloni, who has led the Italian government since October 2022, has yet to visit Slovenia in her role as prime minister.