site.btaPope Francis Addresses Bulgarians in Video Message ahead of Apostolic Journey

 May 3 (BTA) - His Holiness Pope Francis addressed the Bulgarian people in a video message two days before the start of his Apostolic Journey to Bulgaria (May 5-7), the Bulgarian Government Information Service reported on Friday.

In the message, the Holy Father acknowledged the lifework of Sts Cyril and Methodius and said he will have the joy of meeting His Holiness Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte and the Holy Synod of  the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. "Together, we will manifest our willingness to follow the Lord Jesus on the path of fraternal
communion among all Christians," the Pope said.

In his address to the Bulgarians, the pontiff pointed out that his Apostolic Journey to Bulgaria between May and 7 will be mottoed "Pacem in Terris" ("Peace on Earth"). This is the title of an Encyclical issued in 1963 by Pope St John XXIII, also known as the Bulgarian Pope Angelo Roncalli. He spent almost ten years in Sofia as Apostolic Delegate and created a "bond of esteem and affection" with the Bulgarian people that still lasts today, Pope Francis said in his video message.

The Holy Father described his visit to Bulgaria as a pilgrimage "in the sign of faith, unity and peace". "Your land is the home of witnesses of faith from the time when the Saintly Brothers Cyril and Methodius sowed the Gospel there: it was a fruitful sowing, which has brought abundant fruit even in the difficult times of the last century. This was often repeated by St John Paul II, who did so much to ensure that Europe might rediscover the liberating power of Christ, enabling it to breathe again  with two lungs," Pope Francis said. RY/DT