POPE EXPRESSES HIS DESIRE TO VISIT BULGARIA SOON

VATICAN CITY, DEC 21, 2001 (VIS) - This morning, the Holy Father received the Letters of Credence of Vladimir Nikolaev Gradev, the new Bulgarian ambassador. The Pope expressed his desire to visit the ambassador's country in the near future.

In his address, the Pope referred to the "decisive impulse" to the Christian faith given by Sts. Cyril and Methodius during the first millennium of our era. "Their example shows us the path we must follow today; the path of dialogue between cultures and peoples, respecting the identity and heritage of each; the path of openness to knowledge and recognition of the other, over and above any form of intolerant nationalism. This is the exemplary way of peace that requires a renunciation of force and of all desire to dominate, in order to work together for the common good. ... It is also a way of justice that requires the reparation of mistakes and of the harm done to our fellows, as well as attentive respect for the rights and duties of all."

"The world today," he went on, "tested once more by confrontations and the blind violence of terrorism, has a great need to listen to the voice of men and women of dialogue and the architects of peace. It is my ardent wish that this happen on January 24 next year when religious leaders from all over the world meet in Assisi to participate in a day of prayer for peace."

John Paul II emphasized that Bulgaria recognizes in Blessed John XXIII, who was apostolic delegate in Sofia, and in the Bulgarian bishop and martyr, Blessed Eugenio Bossilkov, "true servants of the Gospel for the Bulgarian people, and honors the Church's activity in two essential aspects of her mission: the exercise of charity and the defence of religious liberty." On this matter, he expressed the desire that "the new law on religious freedom may allow the Catholic Church and the other recognized religions to exercise their spiritual mission in your country freely and without restrictions, in keeping with the rights and duties laid down by law."

After recalling that every year in May a Bulgarian delegation visits the Bishop of Rome for the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the Holy Father said: "I sincerely hope that soon I, in my turn, will be able to make a visit to the beloved Bulgarian people."

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