杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

杏MAP导航 Francis travels to Bulgaria on Sunday, on the first leg of his two-part Apostolic Journey to the Balkans. He will visit North Macedonia on Tuesday.

Ahead of his trip, the 杏MAP导航 sent his greetings to the people of Bulgaria, saying his visit will be a pilgrimage "in the sign of faith, unity, and peace."

"Your land is the homeland of witnesses of faith, from the time when the Saintly Brothers Cyril and Methodius sowed the Gospel there," he said.

Fraternal communion

杏MAP导航 St. John Paul II often said their evangelizing efforts brought abundant fruit, even in difficult times, said 杏MAP导航 Francis.

He noted his meeting on Sunday with Patriarch Neophyte and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

鈥淭ogether we will manifest our willingness to follow the Lord Jesus on the path of fraternal communion among all Christians,鈥� he said.

Pacem in terris

杏MAP导航 Francis also recalled 杏MAP导航 St. John XXIII, who spent 10 years as Apostolic Delegate to Bulgaria and created 鈥渁 bond of esteem and affection that still lasts today.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 said his predecessor was 鈥渁 man of faith, communion, and peace,鈥� and that he chose the motto for his Apostolic Visit to Bulgaria with him in mind: 鈥淧acem in terris鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his video message asking all to pray for his visit.

鈥淢ay God grant peace and prosperity to Bulgaria!鈥�