Archbishop Bernard Bober of Košice, president of the Slovak Bishops' Conference, blesses the new mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Vatican Gardens at a ceremony attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Vatican officials on Dec. 5, 2025 / Credit: Bohumil PetríkEWTN News, Dec 6, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).Just before the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows, Protectress of Slovakia, was inaugurated in the Vatican Gardens. Archbishop Bernard Bober of Košice, president of the Slovak Bishops' Conference, blessed the artwork during a ceremony attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, whom Pope Leo XIV received in audience the day before.Among other bishops and diplomats, two cardinals took part: the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Re, and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti unveil the new Slovak Our Lady of Sorrows m...
Archbishop Bernard Bober of Košice, president of the Slovak Bishops' Conference, blesses the new mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Vatican Gardens at a ceremony attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Vatican officials on Dec. 5, 2025 / Credit: Bohumil Petrík
EWTN News, Dec 6, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).
Just before the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows, Protectress of Slovakia, was inaugurated in the Vatican Gardens. Archbishop Bernard Bober of Košice, president of the Slovak Bishops' Conference, blessed the artwork during a ceremony attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, whom Pope Leo XIV received in audience the day before.
Among other bishops and diplomats, two cardinals took part: the dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Re, and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti unveil the new Slovak Our Lady of Sorrows mosaic in the Vatican Gardens on Dec. 5, 2025. Credit: Bohumil Petrík
The Slovak president said he was happy to see the Slovak Virgin Mary image inside the Vatican as she "is a source of hope, faith and unity." Peter Pellegrini stressed that his Central European country and the Holy See "share common values, such as the dignity of human person, true liberty and open dialog."
During the audience with Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican said, pontiff and president reaffirmed their commitment to supporting social cohesion, promoting justice, and safeguarding the family, and discussed the war in Ukraine, its impact on European security, and the situation in the Middle East.
Each time we pass by this beautiful artwork, Cardinal Gugerotti underlined in his speech at the inauguration, "we will pray for the Slovak people" who suffered during atheist communism, and yet "were able to maintain and renew its Christian roots."
Likewise, Cardinal Giovanni Re told CNA that he is very happy for the new artwork. "I have always loved Slovakia because it is still very Catholic," the prelate said.
It is a great honor for us that the mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows has reached the heart of the Church, Archbishop Bober underscored. The Slovak Virgin Mary is "a symbol of the spiritual connection between Slovakia and the Vatican." It reminds us, the archbishop continued, that "Our Lady of Sorrows has a special place in our nation, but also in the lives of all believers."
The colorful mosaic, created by Greek Catholic priest and artist Father Kamil Dráb, is a copy of an image in the chapel of the Pontifical Slovak College of St. Cyril and Methodius in Rome and has been installed in the Vatican Gardens near the bell used during the Great Jubilee of 2000.
Chris Pratt speaks at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International for "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. / Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsCNA Staff, Dec 6, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).American actor Chris Pratt, best known for his roles in "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Jurassic World," is currently filming a documentary on the Vatican Necropolis, which lies underneath Vatican City containing tombs dating from the first to fourth century A.D., at depths varying between 16 and 39 feet below St. Peter's Basilica. The film, which is being produced by Vatican Media, the Fabric of St. Peter, and AF Films, will be released in 2026 for the 400th anniversary of the inauguration and dedication of the basilica. Pratt will guide viewers on a journey to discover the tomb of St. Peter through stories of faith, history, and archaeology."It is an extraordinary honor to partne...
St. Nicholas, by Jaroslav Cermák (1831-1878). / Credit: Galerie Art Praha via Wikimedia (public domain)Vatican City, Dec 6, 2025 / 04:00 am (CNA).St. Nicholas, whose feast day is celebrated on Dec. 6, is known to possibly be the real-life inspiration for the beloved Christmas character of Santa Claus.Not a lot is known about the historical Nicholas, who was bishop of Myra, a Greek city in modern-day Turkey, during the fourth century A.D. But there are many stories and legends that explain his reputation as a just and upright man, charitable gift-giver, and miracle-worker.Here are five things to know and share about St. Nicholas:1. There is a legend behind why St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children.Many people know that St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, but they may not know why he has that title.There is a grisly legend that says that during a famine in Myra, three young boys were lured into a butcher's shop, where they were killed and then brined in a wooden ...
The contemplative Sisters of the Monastery of Bethlehem in Livingston Manor, New York, support themselves by offering their hand-painted chinaware and other unique gifts for sale. / Credit: Monastery of BethlehemWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 6, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).Many monasteries and communities of religious brothers and sisters depend on proceeds from the sales of their products to sustain their lives of prayer and service throughout the year. These days, most have online gift shops that will ship your purchases to arrive before Christmas.Here's a guide to some of our favorite handmade gifts to give and receive this year:Fudge and candyMonk Bakery Gifts, Monastery of the Holy Spirit: Monks in Conyers, Georgia, make their famous fudge with premium chocolate and real butter. Try a 12-ounce gift box for $15. And for a taste of Georgia, try their Southern Touch fudge, "made with real peach morsels, pecans, and a touch of peach brandy."Monastery Candy, Our Lady of the Mississip...
Archbishop Bernard Bober of Košice, president of the Slovak Bishops' Conference, blesses the new mosaic of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Vatican Gardens at a ceremony attended by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Vatican officials on Dec. 5, 2025 / Credit: Bohumil Petrík
