Ruse Horse

At a papal audience at the Vatican Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov has asked Pope Benedict XVI that part of the remains of St Cyril, "the father" of Bulgarian alphabet, are transported to Bulgaria. Parvanov has arrived in Rome for the traditional pilgrimage at the tomb of St Cyril a day ahead of May 24, the Day of Slav Letters. He is the third head of state, following presidents of Italy and South Africa, to be given the audience at recently elected Pope Benedict XVI. At a meeting tete-a-tete on Monday they discussed the deed of St Cyril and the option of opening a cultural centre named after the Bulgarian enlightener in Rome. Later the same day Bulgarian President talked also to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals and paid homage at the grave of late Pope John Paul II. Bulgarian presidential delegation includes representatives of the government, the parliament, the Holy Synod and intellectuals. Georgi Parvanov has extended an official invitation to Pope Benedict XVI to visit Bulgaria, local media reported.

Ruse Bulgaria Asks Rome for Remains of Enlightener St Cyril