Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament Michaela Dotsova described her audience with Pope Leo XIV as warm, extended, and marked by an unusually open exchange, following her visit to the Vatican on the occasion of May 24 celebrations.
She highlighted the long-standing tradition of marking the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius at the Vatican, which has continued for more than six decades. “The tradition of celebrating May 24 in the Vatican has been preserved for over 60 years, recognizing the contribution of Bulgarian writing and literature to the Slavic peoples,” she told reporters, stressing the cultural and historical importance of the occasion.
Dotsova said she emphasized during the meeting that Bulgarian and Slavic literature, together with religious tradition, played a key role in preserving national identity through difficult historical periods. She also underlined that maintaining shared values and peace remains central to Bulgaria’s current policy approach.
According to her, the discussion with the Pope went beyond formal protocol and covered broader global challenges facing modern societies. She noted that Pope Leo XIV is actively engaged with issues such as environmental protection, technological development, and artificial intelligence, which she described as emerging global concerns still being understood.
