Pope Pays Historic First Visit to North Macedonia

After being greeted by the country's leaders at the presidential palace on Tuesday, the Pope visited the memorial house of the Skopje-born Catholic nun Mother Teresa in the centre of the capital, where he was greeted by the country's religious leaders and held a short prayer.

In his speech, Pope Francis said that the coexistence between different peoples in North Macedonia was an example for the rest of the world.

The central even of the visit, a Catholic mass, was held at the nearby Macedonia Square, where the Pope, surrounded by thousands of believers, called for love, peace and brotherhood in the country.

"Let us not be afraid to say it clearly: Lord, we are hungry. We are hungry, Lord, for the bread of your word, which can open up our insularity and our solitude. We are hungry, Lord, for an experience of fraternity," he said.

His visit also marks 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and North Macedonia.

Photo: EPA-EFE/NAKE BATEV

Photo: EPA-EFE/NAKE BATEV

Photo: EPA-EFE/POOL

Photo: EPA-EFE/POOL

Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Photo: EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Photo: EPA-EFE/POOL

Photo: EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Photo: EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

Photo: EPA-EFE/MAURIZIO BRAMBATTI

Photo: EPA-EFE/VALDRIN XHEMAJ