Pope Leo XIV wore the omophorion, a gift from Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, on 31 May during a service in the Vatican Gardens.

The Prime Minister led the Bulgarian delegation during the traditional visit to the Vatican, held annually in connection with 24 May – the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture, as well as Slavic literature.

The Holy Father joined the pilgrims who had gathered for the end of May, a month dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the Catholic tradition.

The omophorion donated by Prime Minister Zhelyazkov is decorated with images of Saints Peter and Paul, two of the most revered saints in the Roman Catholic Church, regarded as pillars of the Christian faith. | BGNES