Cardinal Schönborn visits eastern Slovakia for religious celebrations

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop Emeritus of Vienna, conducted a visit to eastern Slovakia from September 4 to 7, 2026. During his time in the Košice eparchy, he participated in celebrations for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, including a Byzantine liturgy and a Marian candlelit procession through the historic center of Košice.

The visit focused on prayer for peace in Ukraine and fostering connections between the Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic churches. The program included the ordination of Benjamin Ančočik and the release of a new book, ‘Apokryfy’, by Bishop Cyril Vasiľ.

In a separate diplomatic context, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, spoke at a seminar in Assisi regarding the importance of dialogue and cooperation between the Church and sovereign states. Referencing the historical Lateran Pacts, Gallagher emphasized that true diplomacy seeks conditions for coexistence through loyal cooperation rather than the elimination of differences.