Town of Rakovski is getting ready for Pope Francis’ visit

The Bulgarian town of Rakovski started the preparations for welcoming Pope Francis, who will visit the town on May 6.

Because of the visit of the Holy Father, the government has allocated 2 and a half million BGN to the municipalities to repair streets. The local administration is already considering a gift for the Pope and will announce a contest for painting a picture.

The funds were voted at the end of last year after the Pope's visit to Sofia and Rakovski was confirmed. In the city with the largest number of Catholics in Bulgaria, most of the streets need to be repaired.

Pavel Gudzherov, Mayor of Rakovski Municipality: Nine streets are planned for rehabilitation, most of them in the town of Rakovski, and some in the villages of Belozem and Stryama.

Repair works are expected to start at the end of January. Four more streets will also be rehabilitated with European funds. Because of the visit of the Holy Father in May, many worshippers from the country and abroad are expected to come to the town.

During his visit, Pope Francis will serve an open prayer in Bulgaria square, and then he will give first sacrament in the church "The Most Holy Heart of Jesus".

The local people, who are excited about the upcoming visit, also remember the visit of the late Pope John Paul II in 2002 in Plovdiv.

Yossif Govedarski: at that time, he baptized my great grand daughter. It is very rare for the Pope to visit a country twice.

Milko Govedarski: People go to Italy to see him, he will come here.

A competition was announced among local artists to paint a picture of the Church of the Most Holy Heart of Jesus, where the Pope would bless the young Catholics.