Pope Benedict XVI granted audience to the Bulgarian delegation in the Vatican as part of the May 24 celebrations in honour of St Cyril and St Methodius

Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev presided over the delegation. During the 15-minute audience the Pope showed interest in the relationships between the parties in the ruling coalition in Bulgaria, Darik Radio reported.

Pope Benedict XVI said the Bulgarian government set an example how parties with considerable differences may still work together for the sake of the country's future. He said he would always support Bulgaria as the country's EU entry would contribute to the cultural diversity in the union.

Stanishev said he was grateful for the Pope's efforts to advocate Bulgaria's on-time EU accession in 2007. The prime minister also requested from the Pope further support for the trial of the Bulgarian medics in Libya as the Vatican's opinion on such matters had always been highly appreciated abroad.

After the audience Stanishev met the Vatican state secretary Cardinal Angelo Sodano and visited the grave of Pope John-Paul II.