Kristian Vigenin: Pope Francis showed respect for the contribution of the Bulgarian people to the spiritual and cultural development of Europe

„I express my sincere condolences to Catholics in Bulgaria and around the world, who have lost a worthy spiritual leader in the person of His Holiness Pope Francis. His ability to touch hearts and souls with his messages of peace, unity and kindness has always impressed me.“ This was stated by the head of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin on the occasion of the death of Pope Francis. The MEP highlighted the contribution of His Holiness in changing the image of the Catholic Church, in making it more understandable and closer to people.

„Pope Francis kept the tradition of an annual meeting with Bulgarian official delegations on the occasion of 24 May, the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, as a sign of respect for the contribution of the Bulgarian state and the Bulgarian people to the spiritual and cultural development of Europe. I had the chance to meet Pope Francis twice at the Vatican, with a government delegation led by Plamen Oresharski and five years later with a parliamentary one led by Tsveta Karayancheva. Such meetings are short, but memorable for a lifetime.

May he rest in peace!“, Kristian Vigenin commented on his personal impressions from his meetings with Pope Francis.