杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

Geographically, Bulgaria鈥檚 capital city of Sofia lies midway between the Black Sea to the east and the Adriatic Sea to the west. In his first public speech in the country, 杏MAP导航 Francis called Bulgaria 鈥渁 bridge between East and West, capable of favouring encounter between the different cultures, ethnic groups, civilizations and religions that for centuries have lived here in peace鈥�.

Addressing the President, Authorities, and the Diplomatic Corps in Atanas Burov Square shortly after his arrival, the 杏MAP导航 praised Bulgaria, saying that here, 鈥渄iversity, combined with respect for distinctive identities, is viewed as an opportunity, a source of enrichment, and not as a source of conflict鈥�.

Remembering Saints Cyril and Methodius

杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the visit of Saint John Paul II to Bulgaria in May 2002 and spoke of how the future Saint John XXIII served as Apostolic Delegate in Sofia for ten years. The 杏MAP导航 also remembered Cyril and Methodius, the two Saints 鈥渨ho evangelized the Slavic peoples鈥�, and are co-patrons of Europe. The 杏MAP导航 called them 鈥渁n inspiration for fruitful dialogue, harmony and fraternal encounter between Churches, States and peoples鈥�.

A particular moment of history

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to describe 鈥渢his particular moment of history鈥� in Bulgaria, 鈥渢hirty years after the end of the totalitarian regime鈥� that imprisoned the country鈥檚 鈥渓iberty and initiatives鈥�. He spoke of the effects of emigration in recent decades that has seen over two million Bulgarians leave their country in search of employment. This, combined with what the 杏MAP导航 called the 鈥渄emographic winter鈥� of falling birth rates, 鈥渉as led to the depopulation and abandonment of many villages and cities鈥�.

Encouragement and invitation

杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged Bulgaria鈥檚 leaders to continue creating conditions that will allow young people 鈥渢o invest their youthful energies and plan their future鈥�, knowing they can lead 鈥渁 dignified life鈥� in their own homeland. The 杏MAP导航 also respectfully invited all Bulgarians, 鈥渨ho are familiar with the drama of emigration鈥�, not close their eyes, hearts or hands, 鈥渢o those who knock at your door鈥�.

During his speech, 杏MAP导航 Francis suggested we should 鈥減rofit from the hospitality of the Bulgarian people鈥� so that every religion can contribute to the growth of a culture of 鈥渞espect for the human person鈥�, and 鈥渞ejecting every form of violence and coercion鈥�.  In this way, said the 杏MAP导航, those who seek 鈥渢o manipulate and exploit religion will be defeated鈥�.