site.btaPM Zhelyazkov in Audience with Pope Leo XIV

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov's audience with Pope Leo XIV has begun, the Cabinet press service said on Friday.

His Holiness received the Prime Minister at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. Zhelyazkov is leading the Bulgarian delegation on the traditional visit on the eve of one of the most beloved holidays, May 24, the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture and of Slav Letters.

Zhelyazkov already had the opportunity to exchange a few words with the Pope after the solemn liturgy on the occasion of the beginning of His Holiness' pontificate, the press service of the Cabinet said. Then, Zhelyazkov expressed confidence 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 Vatican and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Later on Friday, Zhelyazkov will also meet with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Zhelyazkov will attend the solemn liturgy in the Basilica of San Clemente and pay homage to the memory of St. Constantine-Cyril the Philosopher.

The official delegation led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov to Rome and the Vatican includes Minister of Culture Marian Bachev, Deputy Minister of Education and Science Tanya Mihaylova, Metropolitan Anthony and the Reverend Petko Valov, Bishop of the Eparchy of St John XXIII for the Catholics of the Byzantine rite in Bulgaria.