Rome, 23 May 2024 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova is set to have an audience with the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis on Thursday, officially kicking off her visit to the Vatican and Rome in observance of May 24 – the Day of the Pan-Slavic Educators Ss. Cyril and Methodius.

According to MIA’s reporter in Rome, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova heading a state-church delegation to Rome and Vatican for the observance of May 24 in her first official foreign trip after her victory at the May 8 presidential elections. Her audience with the Pope on Thursday will be followed by a meeting with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin. 

The President will speak to the media after her official meetings in the Vatican.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev is also expected to hold an audience with the Pope on Thursday, but, according to Siljanovska-Davkova's Office, it still isn’t certain whether the two will meet.

This year, Siljanovska-Davkova and Radev are observing the Day of the Pan-Slavic Educators in Rome on different days. Radev will visit the Basilica of Saint Clement and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore on Thursday.

President Siljanovska-Davkova, on the other hand, will observe the Day of the Pan-Slavic Educators on Friday, May 24, with a visit to St. Cyril’s grave at the Basilica of Saint Clement, followed by a visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where she will lay a wreath at the plate with a Macedonian inscription. 

During her visit to Rome, Siljanovska-Davkova will also hold a meeting with her Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, on Friday, which will be followed by a media statement.

As part of the events for the observance of May 24, on Thursday afternoon, the delegation led by Siljanovska-Davkova will attend a concert of the “Chamber Orchestra of Bitola” organized in Rome by the Ministry of Culture.  

Photo: MIA Archive