President Stevo Pendarovski has canceled his visit to Rome and the Vatican on the
occasion of the celebration of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Day on May 24 amid COVID-
19 crisis, President’s Office said on Thursday.
“Macedonian and Bulgarian delegations for several years have been jointly paying
respect to Slav scholars Ss. Cyril and Methodius on May 24 by laying wreaths on St.
Cyril’s tomb at the Basilica of San Clemente in Rome and on the commemorative
plaque of Pope Adrian II at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. Considering the
COVID-19 pandemic as well as the fact that Italy is one of the countries hit hardest
by the coronavirus outbreak, the offices of President Stevo Pendarovski and
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev decided to postpone the celebration until the
second half of 2020 that will be held on a mutually convenient date,” Pendarovski’s
Office said in a statement.
