Solemn Concert and Documentary Exhibition
On June 3, 2025, an important cultural and spiritual concert event was held in the church of St. Francis of Assisi in Sofia, Bulgaria, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Most Reverend Angelo RONCALLI, Titular Archbishop of Areopoli in Bulgaria. Archbishop RONCALLI would later become Pope St. John XXIII. The event was organized by friars from the Provincial Delegation in Bulgaria, a presence of the Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw). The friars wanted to honor this great pastor and diplomat of the Church, whose service in Bulgaria between 1925 and 1934, left a profound mark on ecclesial and human relations between the East and West.
Among the guests of honor were His Majesty King Simeon II, the last reigning monarch of Bulgaria, and the Minister of Social Policies, Borislav GUTSANOV. Their presence emphasized the importance of Archbishop RONCALLI’s historical and spiritual legacy for the people of Bulgaria.
The evening concert was performed by the Collegium Lapis Lazuli ensemble, which is known for its interpretive refinement. The ensemble is under the artistic direction of Professor Neva KRŬSTEVA, an eminent figure in the musical and academic world of Bulgaria. The program featured works by sacred and classical composers, performed with great sensitivity and spiritual depth, which helped create an atmosphere of meditation and gratitude.
At the end of the concert, a documentary exhibition was officially inaugurated, which was dedicated to Archbishop RONCALLI’s pastoral, cultural, and humanitarian activities in Bulgaria. The exhibition displayed photographs, letters, press articles, and period objects, offering a vivid and touching glimpse into the Archbishop’s mission as Apostolic Visitor and later Apostolic Delegate to Bulgaria. Particular attention was paid to his closeness with the Catholic, Orthodox, and Armenian communities, as well as his commitment to peace and ecumenical dialogue.
The event was more than a commemoration; it was also an invitation to rediscover the relevance of the message of Pope John XXIII. He was a man of faith, dialogue, and profound humanity, whose bond with Bulgaria remains a sign of hope for future generations.
Provincial Delegation in Bulgaria
