(from Sofia) “The Bulgarian Catholic bishops invite all believers to pray for a successful preparation of Pope Francis’ apostolic visit”. This is according to a press release on the website of the Bulgarian Bishops’ Conference which also relays the statement by Vatican Press Office Director, Greg Burke, announcing the Pope’s visit to Bulgaria and Macedonia from 5 to 7 May. “We hope that this Papal visit – the text reads – may bring abundant divine graces both to the Catholic community and to all Bulgarians”, so that “Bulgaria may continue to be a place of tolerance and promote peace in the region”. The Bulgarian Bishops’ Conference also explained the meaning of the logo for the visit; it features the words “Pacem in terris” in Latin and in Bulgarian, which refers to Pope John XXIII’s historic encyclical. “As the logo shows – the statement reads -, the apostolic visit to Bulgaria will take place under the sign of peace to promote peace in Bulgaria, peace in the region and peace in the world, which also depends on us and can become the fruit of our prayers”. The logo also features the Bulgarian flag and the colours of the Holy See’s flag.