Farewell ceremony at Sofia International Airport

Telegram to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria

Farewell ceremony at Sofia International Airport

This morning, the Holy Father Francis left the apostolic nunciature and transferred by car to Sofia International Airport, where the farewell ceremony took place.

Upon arrival the Pope was received at the entrance to the VIP Lounge by the prime minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Boyko Borisov. After a brief discussion, the Holy Father boarded an Alitalia A321 which departed at 8.33 (7.33 in Rome) for Skopje, in North Macedonia.

Telegram to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria

Immediately after his departure by air from Sofia, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Rumen Radev:

HIS EXCELLENCY RUMEN RADEV
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
SOFIA

AS I DEPART FROM BULGARIA TO CONTINUE MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO NORTH MACEDONIA, I RENEW MY DEEP APPRECIATION TO YOUR EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF BULGARIA FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME AND GENEROUS HOSPITALITY. OFFERING THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND HARMONY IN THE NATION, I INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU ABUNDANT DIVINE BLESSINGS.

FRANCISCUS PP.