The Vatican is turning over a church in Rome to Bulgarian Orthodox believers in an elaborate ceremony Saturday, part of efforts by Pope John Paul II to improve relations between Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
During a visit to Bulgaria a year ago, the pope announced he had offered the Bulgarian Orthodox community in Rome the use of a church near the Trevi Fountain.
The Vatican said the church will be officially turned over Saturday in the presence of an Orthodox delegation from Bulgaria and Prime Minister Simeon Saxcoburggotski, Bulgaria's former king. Vatican officials and diplomats accredited to the Vatican have also been invited.
The pope has visited several predominantly Orthodox countries in eastern Europe, but efforts to arrange a visit to Russia have been blocked by resentment over what the Russian Orthodox Church sees as Catholic expansion into traditionally Orthodox lands.