AKP Phnom Penh, April 26, 2025 —

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov arrived at the Vatican, where he and the Bulgarian delegation he leads are attending the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis.

Before the start of the ceremony, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov will personally offer his condolences to former Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The funeral ceremony, attended by leaders from around the world, is taking place in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.

"His Holiness Pope Francis was a true friend of Bulgaria. His moral leadership and commitment to dialogue will be remembered by generations," Prime Minister Zhelyazkov said on Monday after the death was announced. According to the Prime Minister, Pope Francis will forever remain a symbol of peace, compassion and unity. “May his message of hope and fraternity continue to guide us in difficult times,” Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov added.

The Bulgarian delegation also includes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See Kostadin Kojabashev.

AKP-BTA