Receives Parliament President and Delegation
VATICAN CITY, MAY 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI recognized the historical contribution of Bulgarian Christianity while receiving in audience the president of that country's Parliament.
Georgi Pirinski came to the Vatican today accompanied by a Bulgarian delegation that included members of government and representatives of the Orthodox Church.
The visit is part of the celebrations in honor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius according to the Julian calendar followed by the Orthodox Churches.
During the official visit, the Pope spoke of Bulgaria's "desire to reaffirm its European traditions, profoundly marked by Gospel values."
"This country," the Pontiff said, "found, in the Gospel, a source of values able to strengthen the culture, the identity and the genius typical of its people."
In this way, the teaching of the brothers of Thessalonica, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, apostles to the Slavs, "contributed to the formation of the spiritual life of the Bulgarian people, ensuring them a place in the cultural tradition of the European continent."
"After the sad and difficult period of communist domination, Bulgaria is today headed toward a full integration with other European nations," said the Pope.
Earlier this year, Bulgaria was granted membership in the European Union. About 82% of the country's 7.3 million people are Orthodox; 12.2% are Muslim.
The Holy Father expressed his hope that "Bulgaria and its people will conserve and promote those Christian virtues that descend from the teachings of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, and are still valid and necessary today."
Code: ZE07052405
Date: 2007-05-24