Rinkēvičs: Latvia must be protected both physically and spiritually
President Edgars Rinkēvičs, speaking Saturday at the Aglona Basilica, called for Latvia to be protected both physically and spiritually. His address was delivered during the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs delivered an address on Saturday at the Aglona Basilica, where mass was held to mark the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The occasion is one of the most significant Catholic holidays, and the annual mass in Aglona traditionally draws both worshippers and state officials.
In his remarks, the president stressed that Latvia must be protected not only in a physical sense but also spiritually. Rinkēvičs indicated that safeguarding the state cannot be limited to military or territorial matters alone, but must also encompass society's inner resilience and shared values.
The president's address took place in a solemn setting that each year brings together a significant portion of Latvia's Catholic community in Aglona, one of the country's most important religious sites. Addresses of this kind delivered during the holiday are traditionally used to reach a wider public audience and to raise questions about national unity and resilience.
Since taking office, Rinkēvičs has repeatedly emphasized the need to strengthen cohesion within Latvian society and readiness to respond to various challenges. Saturday's address in Aglona fits into this recurring message, touching on both physical and spiritual security in the context of the religious holiday.
