Nataša Pirc Musar’s Vatican Outfit Draws Attention During Meeting With Pope Leo XIV

Nataša Pirc Musar travelled to the Vatican for an official meeting with Pope Leo XIV, accompanied by her husband, Aleš Musar. The Slovenian president presented him with an invitation to visit Slovenia, and said he accepted it. Her appearance at the audience also became a talking point, with a carefully chosen black ensemble attracting notice. Pirc Musar said she first wished the pope good health following his recent operation, before handing over the invitation. She described him as being in excellent form and said they spoke for nearly 40 minutes about difficult subjects. According to her account, Leo XIV told her he was feeling well. For the meeting, the president wore a black dress beneath a refined black coat featuring prominent floral patterns and textured details. She completed the look with a black lace veil draped over her shoulders, light-framed glasses and a pearl necklace with dangling ornaments. The combination followed the traditional dress protocol for an audience with the pope while retaining details that made the outfit distinctive. The presidential office described the visit as part of ongoing dialogue between Slovenia and the Holy See. Pirc Musar last visited the Vatican in December 2024 and also attended the funeral of Pope Francis in April last year. She noted that Leo XIV had agreed to visit Slovenia, a country visited twice by Pope John Paul II; neither Francis nor Benedict XVI made a visit despite invitations. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Janez Janša also met with the pope, with his wife, Urška Bačovnik Janša, accompanying him. According to the article, their conversation included the possible development of the Vatican agreement governing relations between Slovenia and the Holy See.