The pope will travel to Bulgaria and Macedonia from May 5 to 7, 2019. In Bulgaria, he will visit the cities of Sofia and Rakovski; while in Macedonia, he will travel to Skopje.
Although the official program has not yet been announced, the visit's logos and slogans are already chosen.
The Bulgarian motto 'Peace on Earth' recalls the encyclical and prayer for peace by John XXIII, who was nuncio in this country. It also invites everyone to construct peace together in the Balkan region.
The Macedonia visit has the motto 'Do not fear, little flock!' They remember that Mother Teresa of Calcutta was born there. That's why the logo's colors feature the blue and white from her habit.
While John Paul II traveled to Bulgaria in 2002, no pope has ever traveled to Macedonia so far.
