Catholics and non-believers alike are looking forward to Pope Francis’ September 12-15 visit to Slovakia, the spokesman for the bishops’ conference told journalists, saying that, if given the chance, he’d ask the pontiff to focus on boosting locals in their faith.

The encouragement is particularly needed after the worst of the pandemic, Father Martin Kramara said, because churches closing their doors for three or four months during its peak brought “much disappointment,” with parishioners sharing with him their thankfulness at the efforts made to provide online Masses, but also the frustration at knowing it’s not the same to kneel at a church than in front of a screen. On the other hand, he said, many in Slovakia are still afraid of the virus, and have yet to return to Mass. Slovakia was one of the hardest hit countries in Europe by Covid-19.

Controversially, the government has announced that only those who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed to attend the papal events.