Minister Tone Kajzer on the importance of heritage and relations with the Holy See following the restoration of the Church of the Virgin Mary at Gorca

8. 9. 2026

Minister Kajzer attended the ceremony to celebrate the completed restoration of the façade of the Church of the Virgin Mary at Gorca above Malečnik on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and delivered an address on the occasion. Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome and a close associate of Pope Leo XIV, was the guest of honour at the ceremony during his first visit to Slovenia.

minister se pogovarja v cerkvi — Minister Kajzer meeting with Cardinal Makrickas | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

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In his address, Minister Kajzer described Gorca as an important pilgrimage destination and a valuable site of Slovenia’s cultural and religious heritage. “Gorca is one of the precious gems of Slovenia’s religious heritage, an important part of our cultural and historical landscape and our national identity. The church has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries and is one of the finest examples of Marian architecture in Slovenia. Gorca has witnessed states, borders and generations change, yet it has withstood the test of time.”

According to Minister Kajzer, the restoration of the façade represents a commitment to preserving our heritage and passing it on to future generations. He took the opportunity to thank everyone involved in the restoration.

The ceremony also had a clear international dimension, as Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas's visit was regarded as an important affirmation of the ties between the Church of the Virgin Mary at Gorca and the Holy See. In this context, Minister Kajzer emphasised the significance of the relations between Slovenia and the Holy See, noting that the latter was among the first to recognise Slovenia’s independence in 1992. “The Holy See continues to play a vital role in international relations, particularly in the protection of human dignity and human rights, including religious freedom, poverty eradication, development, and of course, peace. This is also evident in the situation in Ukraine,” said the Minister.