Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

Repeat - Father Benjamin Kosnač, the pastor of the only English-speaking Catholic congregation in Bratislava, talks about the real meaning of Christmas – as well as what he thinks of the Slovak tradition of telling children that it's Baby Jesus who brings them presents each year at this time. We also replay a story from May 2020, originally aired on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Karol Wojtyla, later known as Pope John Paul II. This first-ever Polish pope – who is widely remembered for his opposition to Soviet communism in Eastern Europe and his influence on its demise – also had a strong connection with Slovakia and visited the country three times during his pontificate. We speak with several Slovaks connected with these visits who recall the profound effect he had on Slovakia and its Christians.