Slovenian President Borut Pahor held talks with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Monday on the occasion of 30 years of diplomatic relations between Slovenia and the Holy See, and among other things they discussed the Ukraine situation and the relations within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Speaking to Slovenian media, Pahor said he and the pope advocated a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis and dialogue.

“It’s necessary to find a peaceful solution at any cost, unless we want to bring Europe to the brink of despair,” Pahor said, adding that he also explained to the pontiff his view on the situation in the Western Balkans.

“There is a lack of political willingness in the region for symbolic gestures of reconciliation,” he said, adding that the pope is especially worried about the situation in BiH and that they both assessed that the importance of reconciliation is being underestimated and that it is practically nonexistent.

Pahor voiced hope that the pope might visit Slovenia “for a few hours at least, maybe this year already.”

He said they also talked about “the meaning of small gestures” so that everyone could feel full unity in the current health crisis. “That is what is extremely important to Pope Francis for coming out of this crisis, so that we remain a community which stands in solidarity and is connected.”