The visits to the Vatican on the occasion of 24 May– the Day of the Slavonic writing and culture, are a sign of the recognition of the Bulgarian people's contribution to European civilization. This is what President Rumen Radev said after being received in audience at the Vatican by Pope Francis. "His Holiness expressed his belief that the tradition of the visits of Bulgarian delegations to the Vatican is necessary and should be continued", the head of state added.
"The pope sent his best wishes to our people for health and prosperity", the president went on to say, sharing his opinion that the two had held a very interesting and frank conversation. During the audience, the serious problems the world is facing today have been discussed. Pope Francis delivered a message that a solution to the human trafficking problem should be sought, particularly with regard to the fight against child trafficking. According to His Holiness, the young people should be encouraged to embrace Christian values, and this is how they would be protected from yielding to temptation.
The head of state highly assessed the relations between Bulgaria and the Holy See. The President conferred the Order of St. Cyril and St. Methodius to Monsignor Jose Avelino Bettencourt, Head of protocol at the Vatican, for his contribution to the development of the bilateral relations.
Taking a question raised by a journalist, President Radev specified that he had given Pope Francis a copy of an icon of Cyril and Methodius. The President said he had been given by Pope Francis a bronze plaque depicting St Martin wrapping his cloak over a poor man. "Let us not forget that Pope Francis chose to be the voice of the weak and the underprivileged," Radev recalled.
Approached to comment on the visit to the Vatican of the Republic of Macedonia's delegation, which was to be given audience immediately after that of the Bulgarian head of state, Rumen Radev voiced his expectations that after the new government of the Republic of Macedonia was formed, there would be a closer dialogue and problems related to our shared history will be resolved. President Radev recalled our country's hopes about progress in the talks on the bilateral good-neighbourliness agreement with the Republic of Macedonia.