President Stevo Pendarovski had an audience with Pope Francis in Vatican on Thursday. The sincere friendship and deep ties between the Holy See and the Republic of North Macedonia have been reaffirmed, Pendarovski posted on Facebook.
“We’ve received support and blessing to continue to work diligently for the peace, happiness and well-being of all our citizens. On the foundations of the immortal body of work of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, with the protectors of Europe, to continue to zealously build a common prosperous future,” Pendarovski said after meeting with Pope Francis.
He noted that Pope Francis is the first Head of the Roman Catholic Church who has visited the country, adding that it is a great recognition for us.
“I thanked His Holiness for his support and expressed my readiness to advance the overall relations with the Vatican,” Pendarovski posted.
At the audience with Pope Francis, the President presented him with a jersey of the Macedonian national football team with his name written in Cyrillic.
“Pope Francis is the first to receive the latest jersey of the Macedonian national football team with his name written in Cyrillic. This is the jersey our best football players will wear at the upcoming #EURO2021. May it bring happiness, new successes and victories,” said Pendarovski.
