The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, attended today the ceremony of beatification of Pope John Paul II, held in the Vatican Basilica "St. Peter", which was also attended by many prominent political and state officials from all over the world, as well as religious leaders of other confessions and by about one million believers.

Following the beatification ceremony, President Ivanov had a brief meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. During the meeting, President Ivanov expressed his highest consideration and regards for the work and the life of Pope John Paul II and extended congratulations to Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the Easter holidays. President Ivanov also reflected on Mother Teresa's beatification, as well as on the upcoming observance of Ss.Cyril and Methodius, another opportunity for an audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI, recollecting Mother Teresa’s beatification, stressed that it has always been his pleasure to meet with Macedonia's officials, thanking President Ivanov for his attendance at the beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II, which is yet another confirmation of the highest level of relations and friendship between the Holy See and the Republic of Macedonia.

Pope John Paul II initiated and declared Mother Teresa for 'blessed' at a ceremony of beatification attended by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Boris Trajkovski. Pope John Paul was the first Pope to send Easter and Christmas greetings in Macedonian language, met frequently with Macedonian top officials, whereas the relations between the Republic of Macedonia and Vatican were vastly developed during his pontificate.

At the sidelines of the ceremony of beatification of Pope John Paul II, President Ivanov had the opportunity to meet and speak with a number of leaders, including the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban and the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.