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Pope Francis appeared yesterday wearing an omophorion from Bulgaria

Photo: Gregorio Borgia/AP

On his last Easter, Pope Francis appeared before the faithful wearing an omophorion that he received as a gift during his visit to Bulgaria in 2019.

Pope Francis remembered: Reactions from Bulgaria

  • The word omophorion comes from the Greek word for "cover" or "mantle" and is part of episcopal or papal vestments. It is a wide band decorated with crosses that hangs down either side of the chest. It symbolises the shepherd's responsibility to carry his flock and is worn by bishops during liturgical services.


While in Bulgaria, the head of the Roman Catholic Church met with Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte, President Rumen Radev, and visited the National Assembly. The following day, Pope Francis travelled to the town of Rakovski, home to a large Catholic community, where he administered first communion to 250 Bulgarian children.




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