The Bulgarian Pope

"The Bulgarian Pope": this is the title of a scientific symposium to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, visitor and apostolic delegate in Sofia from 1925 to 1934. The event promoted by the Bulgarian Academy of Science, by the Catholic Exarchate and by the Institute for Italian Culture was attended by the vice-president of the Republic Margarita Popova, by Apostolic nuncio Monsignor Janusz Bolonek, by Church dignitaries and academics. Iva Mihailova reported on the meeting for SIR Europe. Good spirits and human warmth. "A pastor that distinguished himself for his kindness, good spirits and human warmth": Monsignor Hristo Proykov, apostolic exarch of Sofia, president of the Bulgarian bishops, introduced the figure of Pope Roncalli, whose memory is cherished at heart by the Bulgarian population. His words were echoed by the private secretary of the Blessed Pope, Msgr. Loris Capovilla. In a letter to Msgr. Proykov written on the occasion of the conference, Msgr. Capovilla calls upon Bulgarian people, encouraged by the example of Pope John XXIII, to live their Christian faith with love. "Pope Francis is guiding the Church in his footsteps – wrote Msgr. Capovilla – evangelizing and leading us towards noble objectives". Signs for the future. Roncalli’s years in Bulgaria as apostolic delegate was significant for his future pontificate. It provided the late Pope with the opportunity "to witness Orthodox-Catholic dialogue and of getting to know a country where people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds have lived together in peace for centuries", said the Vice-President of the Bulgarian Academy of Science Nikolaj Miloscev during the meeting. Tolerance and mutual respect are values "reflected in the actions of the apostolic delegate, testified by the decisions taken during his pontificate". In Bulgaria Roncalli had two goals: to support the small Catholic community in dire conditions, – especially Catholics of Byzantine rite- and establish contacts with Bulgarian government leaders. "Young archbishop Roncalli arrived in a very poor country devastated by the wars – recalled Msgr. Proykov – and immediately began to undertake charity works that conquered Orthodox faithful. Roncalli helped the Church of Eastern rite in Bulgaria to recover. He travelled across the Country visiting the most remote parishes, travelling for hours on carts, horses and mules". Help to the Jews. Roncalli played a significant role in the rescuing of Bulgarian Jews, underlined by the vice-mayor of Sofia Todor Chobanov referring to a letter written by the pontifical representative to the Bulgarian king Boris in 1943, imploring the king to save the Jews in the Country. The statement was confirmed also by other panel speakers, who recalled that through false baptism certificates and permits obtained thanks to pressure exerted by Roncalli, many Bulgarian Jews were saved from certain death. Royal marriage. The most famous episode of the Bulgarian period of Pope John XXIII remains the royal marriage celebrated in Assisi between king Boris and Italian princess Giovanna di Savoia, a union that initially wasn’t well received by Pius XI. The member-correspondent of the Pontifical Committee for sciences Kiril Kartaloff said: "thanks to the efforts of Roncalli and following the promise of the king to baptize his children in the Catholic Church, the papal dispensation came through. But the king didn’t keep his word". "As soon as they arrived in Sofia – continued Kartaloff – the marriage was celebrated for the second time in the Orthodox cathedral and both children were baptized Orthodox Christians". Although at that point relations between the Holy See and Bulgaria were spoiled, Pope Roncalli kept good relations with the royal family, whilst firmly abiding to Vatican positions. Roncalli had a high regard for the Orthodox Church. He "did not promote conversions to Christianity", recalled Msgr. Proykov. The evidence is contained in a letter written to an Orthodox seminarian that asked to enter the Catholic Church. "Catholics and Orthodox are not enemies. We are divided only by misunderstandings. Those who caused divisions are no longer living. I am sure that even though our points of departure are different, one day we will reach unity".