site.btaPope Leo XIV Grants Audience to Bulgarian PM Zhelyazkov

On Friday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov was received in audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace.

Zhelyazkov led a Bulgarian delegation on a two-day visit to Rome and Vatican City, which is traditionally paid ahead of May 24, the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture and of Slav Letters.

"We discussed all important topics, ranging from matters of faith to current concerns," the PM told the media, emerging from his audience with the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Zhelyazkov specified that they spoke about the European agenda, the war in Ukraine, the role of the Holy See as a mediator for negotiations, about the humanitarian, political and geopolitical aspects of this tragedy in Europe. “We even talked about artificial intelligence and its dimensions, about how human virtues should not be replaced by the virtual environment,” the Prime Minister said, adding that they also considered issues on the agenda of the church community in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian head of government noted that the Vatican has tangibly enhanced its diplomatic role since Pope Leo XIV began his pontificate. "We hope that the Russian side will also accept this mediation, because the Vatican is a neutral territory but also a humanitarian and humanely committed territory and can serve as a real bridge for finding a temporary and permanent solution. Still, everything is a matter of good will and good desire," he added.

The PM described the Pope is "a committed preacher who will increasingly take on the role of a diplomat".

"It is an extraordinary honour that we were the first official delegation to be received by Pope Leo XIV," Zhelyazkov commented.

He already had the opportunity to exchange a few words with the Pope after the solemn Mass for the beginning of His Holiness's pontificate, the Government Information Office recalled. Then, the PM said he was confident that the relations between the Bulgarian State and the Vatican would continue to develop. He also stressed the importance of the good dialogue between the Holy See and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Liturgical Vestment Gift

During his audience with Pope Leo XIV, Zhelyazkov presented him with an omophorion (a bishop’s liturgical vestment) with an early Christian symbol of the Good Shepherd embroidered on it.

The omophorion was crafted in Bulgaria especially for the occasion by Nina Dimitrova, a renowned expert on church vestments. In his last public appearance on Easter 2025, Leo’s predecessor Francis wore such an omophorion, which he had received as a gift in 2019 during a visit to Bulgaria.

The symbols embroidered on the omophorion have a deep spiritual meaning. There is a cross, which stands for God's unconditional love and Jesus's sacrifice, by which he took upon himself the sins of humanity, as well as the victory over death and the hope of Resurrection. There is also a rose - a signature image of Bulgaria, symbolizing beauty, industriousness and love, a bridge between things earthly and heavenly, and also representing the notions of eternity, revival and spiritual power.

Furthermore, the vestment carries images of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, spiritual pillars of the Christian faith, who are central to the Roman Catholic Church. Peter, depicted with keys in his hands, stands for spiritual and papal authority. He is the apostle from whom the Pope inherits his authority. Paul stands for the mission of the Church in the world, and the book in his hand symbolizes his epistles and the foundations of Christian theology. As a dual symbol, Peter and Paul personify two principles of the Church: the resilience and the continuity represented by Peter and the missionary spirit and inspiration associated with Paul.

Other Meetings

Later on Friday, Zhelyazkov and his delegation conferred with the Cardinal Secretary of State of the Vatican, Pietro Parolin.

Cardinal Parolin was given a gift of an icon of Holy Prince Boris-Mihail, the ruler who converted the Bulgarians to Christianity in the 9th century. The icon was hand-made in Bulgaria by the eminent artist Zhelyo Zhelev. Icons of Boris-Mihail have been presented as Bulgarian government gifts to diplomats, as well as to Pope John Paul II and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I.

Also on Friday, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov conferred with the Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Riccardo Paterno di Montecupo, the Government Information Service said "Bulgaria values the noble and humanitarian activities of the Order which align with our shared values of promoting peace and universal human rights," the guest said during the meeting.

The PM emphasized that the Order's consistent efforts in support of human life and dignity — for the vulnerable and people with disabilities, children and the elderly, and all those in need around the world — deserve high praise and recognition.

Zhelyazkov expressed confidence that Bulgaria will continue to strengthen its cooperation with the Order of Malta in the future. Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the Order. Bilateral agreements signed in the areas of healthcare and postal services have contributed to the deepening of these relations, the press release added.

Homage at San Clemente Basilica

Also on Friday, Zhelyazkov attended a solemn liturgy at the Basilica of San Clemente and paid homage to the memory of St Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher.

"The importance of the work of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius has long transcended the boundaries of time," the Prime Minister said in a speech before the solemn liturgy. "Thanks to their work and the work of their disciples, many nations started practicing Christianity," Zhelyazkov said, quoted by the Government Press Service.

The PM recalled the far-sighted civilizational choice of Prince Boris I to Christianize the Bulgarian people and welcome the disciples of Cyril and Methodius, thereby laying the foundations of the Golden Age in Bulgarian history. "Bulgaria established itself as a bridge between East and West, a role it continues to play today," Zhelyazkov added. He also recalled 1980, when Pope John Paul II declared Cyril and Methodius co-patrons of Europe - a recognition that has been confirmed by his successors, including Pope Francis during his 2019 visit to Bulgaria.

"Today, with the blessing of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, Bulgarian clergy and believers perform divine services in Bulgarian at these sacred places, where the first Slavic books were consecrated and the disciples of Cyril and Methodius received their missions," Zhelyazkov said. In his words, the work of the holy brothers is not just history, "but a living heritage that inspires, unites and builds bridges in the spirit of Christian values and peace".

At the San Clemente Basilica, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov bowed before the relics of St Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister laid flowers at the tomb of Pope John XXIII and the altar of St John Paul II.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov laid a wreath at the late Pope Francis's tomb at Rome's Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Zhelyazkov also paid his respects at the memorial plaque of Sts Cyril and Methodius at the Basilica.

Culture Minister Marian Bachev, who was on the Bulgarian delegation, had a separate auidence with Pope Leo XIV on Friday. He told reporters that the experience was exceptional and hard to put into words. Bachev described the Pope as an extremely kind person.

"We had these magical four and a half minutes that were extremely impactful. The power of the kindness emanating from this man is really impressive," the Minister said.

The official delegation led by Zhelyazkov also included Deputy Education and Science Minister Tanya Mihaylova, Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe, and the Reverend Petko Valov, Bishop of the Eparchy of St John XXIII for the Catholics of the Byzantine rite in Bulgaria.