Vatican City, May 22, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Pope Benedict XVI today welcomed Prime Minister Vlado Buchkovski of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Vatican as he and an entourage celebrates the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, who were Apostles to the Slavic people.
The feast is celebrated in the Eastern Church on May 11, and in the West on February 14.
The Pope said that, "When I received the new ambassador a few days ago, I wanted to acknowledge how strongly the traditions and culture of the Macedonian people resonate with the values which permeate the spirit of Europe.”
“The brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius, Apostles of the Slav peoples,” he pointed out, “contributed significantly to its formation. Their human and Christian activity left indelible traces in the history of your own country. The pilgrimage which you make every year to the tomb of Saint Cyril provides a fitting occasion to return to the roots of your history."