At the conclusion of his September 16 general audience, Pope Leo XIV offered his customary greetings to pilgrims who speak French, English, German, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic, and Polish—and then offered a rare greeting, in Slovak, to pilgrims from Slovakia.
The Pontiff stated:
I cordially greet the 20th national pilgrimage of the Ordinariate of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, led by the Military Ordinary and the representatives of the Slovak public institutions, with their families.
Yesterday in Slovakia you celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, who is your principal patroness. Always renew your faith through veneration of the Mother of Jesus. Confidently implore her help to bear witness to Christian values in everyday life, and invoke her maternal intercession for the advent of a world of justice, fraternity and peace.
I bless you from my heart. Praise be to Jesus Christ!