Slovenian prime minister invites pope to visit

Published: 2007-11-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The prime minister of Slovenia invited Pope Benedict XVI to visit his East European nation and attend the closing of its 2009 eucharistic congress. Prime Minister Janez Jansa met with the pope and the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, in separate audiences Nov. 28 at the Vatican. After the 20-minute closed-door papal meeting, the Vatican acknowledged Jansa invited the pope to visit Slovenia in 2009 for "the occasion of the Year of Young People and the closing of the national eucharistic congress." In a written statement, the Vatican said talks centered on the priorities and agenda of the European Union. Slovenia will hold the rotating presidency of the European Union from January to June. The Vatican said discussions also included bilateral concerns such as the restitution of church property seized during communist rule.

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