The addition of Bulgaria to the community of the European Union and the acknowledgement of the deeds of the saint brothers Kiril and Metodii are the reason why the Pope Benedict XVI kept the tradition of his predecessor and congratulated the Bulgarian people for May 24th.

This was explained by Federico Lombardi, a Roman Catholic priest and the current director of the Vatican Press Office during the interview for the Bulgarian national radio.

Keeping the tradition of Pope John Paul II, the Pope Benedict XVI renewed the congratulations tradition in order to maintain the cultural integrity of the European communityr in the time of the full rights participation of Bulgaria in the EU community. Recognizing the place of the holy saints of European culture and spirituality is an especially important part of the Pope’s plans for the future, explained Lombardi.