From September 14 to 17, Fra\u2019 Emmanuel Rousseau, Grand Commander of the Sovereign Order of Malta, undertook an official visit to the Slovak Republic, engaging in a series of high-level meetings and key ceremonial events that underscored the deepening relationship between the Order and Slovakia.<\/p>\n
Among the most significant moments was his audience with President Peter Pellegrini and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blan\u00e1r. Their discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation. President Pellegrini praised the Order\u2019s longstanding humanitarian engagement, noting its visible and valuable presence at major public events and at the Slovak-Ukrainian border during the refugee crisis. In a powerful gesture of goodwill, he extended a formal invitation for the Grand Master of the Order to pay a state visit to Slovakia.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, September 15, the Grand Commander joined the National Pilgrimage and Holy Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows in \u0160a\u0161t\u00edn-Str\u00e1\u017ee, in the presence of the President and senior government officials. Volunteers of the Order provided first aid and essential services throughout the event.<\/p>\n
The following day, a milestone was reached with the inauguration of the Slovak Association of the Order of Malta, marked by a celebratory Holy Mass in St. Martin\u2019s Cathedral in Bratislava. The Mass, celebrated by Metropolitan Archbishop Stanislav Zvolensk\u00fd, was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio, government dignitaries, and the President.<\/p>\n
Fra\u2019 Emmanuel Rousseau remarked, \u201cIt is a joy to celebrate the birth of the Slovak Association \u2013 a fruit of many years of dedication. Like a child born to a family, it brings us together in hope and commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Grand Commander also visited the Malteser Aid Center for Roma Children in Topo\u013e\u010dany, underscoring the Order\u2019s commitment to social inclusion and education.
\nThis visit not only reaffirmed the Order\u2019s humanitarian mission in Slovakia but also laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation in the years ahead.<\/p>\n","news_gallery":"yes","news_excerpt":"The Grand Commander of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra\u2019 Emmanuel Rousseau, paid a visit to Slovakia from September 14 to 17.","news_gallery_elements":[{"id":158,"url":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2024\/10\/SK-SMOM-24-09-15-G.jpg"},{"id":160,"url":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2024\/10\/SK-SMOM-24-09-15-E.jpg"},{"id":149,"url":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2024\/09\/460492693_122101787750525625_697737273575960947_n.jpg"},{"id":147,"url":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2024\/09\/459987679_122101787486525625_2342207888850306485_n.jpg"},{"id":141,"url":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/82\/2024\/10\/President-slovakia.jpg"}]},"news_categories":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/126\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/slovakiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}