Christmas "is the beginning of a new life. It is like a seed that will develop a wealthy but tired Europe and Slovenia, which is successful but is split inside". This was written by mgr. Alojz Uran, archbishop and metropolitan bishop of Ljubljana, in his Christmas message. This year, the feast is given more significance by Slovenia taking on the six months’ presidency of the European Union. "We start with the most responsible task in the history of our nation, the presidency of the Council of the European Union reads the text . May God grant us to gather all strengths and abilities at this time, in the common commitment for the good of all the family of the European nations". "May the Pax Europae not be confined to external peace and wealth only, but may it draw on its roots that spread out as far as Bethlehem, and may the Prince of Peace ensure us that peace that the world cannot give", exhorts mgr. Uran, who concludes: "the Slovenian Catholics, along with the pastors, wish to cooperate profitably to guiding the community of the European Union".
