President of the Slovak Republic expressed his grief for John Paul II in a letter to the Vatican

The President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič also expressed his deepest and most sincere sympathy regarding of the Holy Father’s death in a letter to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Deacon of the College of Cardinals of the Holy See.

„Your Eminence, respectable Deacon of the College of Cardinals,
let me express, in the name of all Slovaks, my deepest and most sincere sympathy in respect to the death of the Holy Father, John Paul II. It is very sad news for the faithful and those who believe in democracy all over the world, since the Holy Father significantly contributed to the propagation of Christian doctrine and ecumenical cooperation, as well as to the consolidation of democracy. He devoted his whole life to working for the benefit of humankind. He promoted mutual understanding and cooperation among nations and people themselves, among the Christian Churches and all religions of the world with his constant and dedicated effort. He became a tireless defender of human rights and freedoms; he fought against violence and injustice. John Paul II undertook a lot of missions. He was able to bring love and hope to all the countries in the world. Slovaks also cherished him for the love he had for our country. He visited Slovakia three times, and each visit provided great encouragement after the years of dictatorship we had suffered. Upon his second visit the Pope said: “Have no fear!” – and this sentence strengthened our faith and belief in a better future.
Your Eminence, respectful Cardinal, Slovakia is mourning for the Holy Father, as Slovaks cherished and honoured John Paul II for his charisma and wisdom. We admired his self-sacrifice and inner strength, throughout the battle he fought with his serious illness, and his image as a non-violent and enduring propagator of faith and freedom of individuals and nations is his message to the world., - the President wrote in his condolence letter for the Holy Father.