Theme and logo

The logo picks up on the theme of the visitation: at the bottom is a road, symbolising the way to the cross, inside a heart, a reminder of St Joseph's love for Jesus and of Our Lady, patron saint of Slovakia. The seven stars are a reference to the "Seven Sorrows" of the name given to the Virgin Mary. The elements of the logo bear the colours white, blue and red of the Slovak flag and white and yellow of the Vatican flag.

Motto: "With Mary and Joseph on the way to Jesus"

The Virgin Mary, Mother of God, loved Jesus Christ with her whole heart and always stood by him in spite of danger and pain. The Slovak faithful are deeply devoted to the Sorrowful Mother and for centuries have prayed to her for help.

In his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, Pope Francis proposes the attractive example of the fatherly heart of Saint Joseph, who summons us to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus and to seek him always. The Holy Family encourages us to persevere on our journey toward Jesus.

The theme expresses our prayerful hope that the visit of Pope Francis to Slovakia will strengthen our faith and renew our desire to follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life” (Mt 20:28).