Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte and members of the Holy Synod received Pope Francis at the Synodal Palace, remaining unyielding in their position that any form of liturgical celebration or common prayer is unacceptable as it is not allowed by the holy canons.

The Bulgarian Patriarch greeted the Pope and the officials accompanying him with the words: Welcome to the land of the holy equal-to-apostles Cyril and Methodius and of so many of God’s saints and others, pleasing to God, thanks to whose mission of enlightenment in the 9^th and 10^th century Christianity spread throughout Europe and outside its bounds.

The head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church availed himself of the opportunity to express gratitude for the warm reception which the Vatican accords the Bulgarian envoys to Rome every year on 24 May, and for its consent for the holding of worship service at the grave of St. Constantine Cyril the Philosopher.