Mr President,
Mr Prime Minister,
Honourable Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Authorities,
Representatives of the various Religious Confessions,
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Christos vozkrese!

I am happy to be here in Bulgaria, a place of encounter between many cultures and civilizations, a bridge between Eastern and Southern Europe, an open door to the Near East, and a land of ancient Christian roots that nourish its vocation to foster encounter both in the region and in the international community. Here diversity, combined with respect for distinctive identities, is viewed as an opportunity, a source of enrichment, and not as a source of conflict.