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Skriven 2005-05-23 09:21:34 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service (Press Release)
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
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                               VIS-Press releases

BENEDICT XVI ON ROLE OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS IN EUROPE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 23, 2005 (VIS) - Prime Minister Vlado Buchkovski of the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and an entourage were welcomed to the
Vatican today by Pope Benedict on the occasion of the feast of St. Cyril and
Methodius, Apostles to the Slavs. Their feast is celebrated in the East on May
11, and in the West on February 14.

"When I received the new ambassador a few days ago," said the Holy Father,
speaking English, "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, 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."

The Pope added, "I am convinced that the way to give life to a society truly
attentive to the common good is to seek in the Gospel the roots of shared
values, as the experience of Saints Cyril and Methodius demonstrates. This is
the ardent desire of the Catholic Church which has no other interest but to
spread and bear witness to Jesus Christ's words of hope and love, words of life
which down the centuries have inspired many martyrs and confessors of the
faith.

"I sincerely hope," concluded Benedict XVI, "that your pilgrimage today will
contribute to keeping vibrant throughout the Nation these high human and
Christian ideals. I pray too that your country will confidently open up to
Europe, thereby contributing significantly to building its future, inspired by
your invaluable religious and cultural heritage."
AC/DELEGATION MACEDONIA/BUCHKOVSKIVIS 050523 (290)

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