MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, April 21): BRATISLAVA - Pope Francis was the embodiment of humility and humaneness, a convinced advocate of peace and an opponent of evil, who charmed everyone with his humanity, modesty and wisdom, stated President Peter Pellegrini in response to the death of the head of the Roman Catholic Church on social media on Monday. "The Holy Father was one of those rare people who speak little but say so much. I'll never forget his vision of a nation that he likened to a tree, forming one living whole together. I won't forget his message that we can only look down on another person when we are bending down to help them," posted the head of state. Pellegrini added that it was an honour for him to meet the Pope twice and listen to his words. He noted that there is a difference between celebrities who "become famous on social media for a few days and then fade into oblivion", and a true moral authority whose deeds already place him among the most significant figures in history. Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88. The news was announced by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell. BRATISLAVA - The legacy of the late Pope Francis will remain in people's hearts forever, as Francis always stood on the side of good and set an example for everyone through his life; and with his death, the world has lost a significant figure, House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) posted on social media in response to the death of the Pope on Monday. "I express my sincere condolences to all those affected by his passing. His powerful legacy, however, will stay with us forever. I greatly appreciate the fact that I had the honour of personally meeting Holy Father Francis at the Vatican in 2014 and of presenting him with a gift from the people of Kosice – a beautiful carved wooden angel holding the coat of arms of the metropolis of the East," said Rasi. BRATISLAVA - The late Pope Francis brought peace and love not only to Christians but to all people, and his (April 20) greetings on St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday turned out to be a symbolic farewell, the Government Office posted on social media in response to the death of Pope Francis on Monday. "Holy Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose the name Francis after being elected pope as a reference to Francis of Assisi, who lived his entire life in poverty and humility. Helping the poor, humility, humaneness, and love for people — regardless of their race, origin, or skin color - those are values that each of us should remember throughout our lives," states the post. BRATISLAVA - Pope Francis was a man of extraordinary depth, humility and wisdom, who disliked intolerance, harshness, and violence, former Slovak president Zuzana Caputova (2019-2024) has stated on social media in response to the Pope's passing on Monday. "How deeply the world will miss his wisdom and kindness. He was a man of extraordinary depth, humility, and knowledge, but also of clear mind and powerful messages. We often spoke about how to overcome divisions in society and in the world. He always repeated: only through love," she noted. According to Caputova, the Pope did not like intolerance, harshness or violence precisely because such attitudes lack love and compassion. "In his case, it wasn't just a phrase, because his life was woven with solidarity and empathy, especially toward the poor and the humiliated," she added. She considers the conversations that she had with the Pope to be among the greatest gifts of her life. BRATISLAVA - A great good is departing with late Pope Francis, who had a compassionate, kind and understanding heart and whose death is a loss for the entire world, said Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) in reaction to the passing of the head of the Catholic Church on social media on Monday. "He was a great spiritual man of love. A humble person of dialogue, peace and unity. He was a tireless man of truth who courageously broke down divisions and built bridges of reconciliation," said the prime Minister. Fico added that it was an honour to know the Pope personally and to have conversations with him. In this context, He recalled their last meeting and expressed admiration, respect and gratitude to the Pope for his "brave, selfless, humble, and exemplary life". BRATISLAVA - Four new political parties are currently seeking to be established in Slovakia, according to a notice about the collection of the required signatures that the Interior Ministry has published on its website. Among the emerging parties are entities named 'Together', 'Jilo', 'United Slavs' and 'Farmers Movement'. The founders of a party must collect at least 10,000 signatures, submit them to the ministry and apply for registration. If all the legal conditions are met, the Interior Ministry will register the party. According to the party register, there are 55 active political parties in Slovakia at the moment. More than 100 political entities are in the process of dissolution. BRATISLAVA - Whipping women without their consent as part of the Easter celebrations is not a tradition, but a sign of disrespect, and the Easter whipping tradition is not a licence for inappropriate behaviour, stated the police on social media on Easter Monday. "Traditions should bring people together, not divide them. Every woman has the right to decide whether she wants to take part in the whipping. Let’s respect her opinion, her boundaries, and her consent," the police posted. lin