SKOPJE, North Macedonia — With its bitter naming dispute with Greece finally settled and NATO membership expected by the end of the year, North Macedonia on Tuesday received another sign that its nearly three decades of international isolation are ending: the country’s first papal visit.
At a gathering with senior government figures, Pope Francis praised North Macedonia as “a bridge between the East and West,” said that its history of diversity would serve it well in a closer relationship with European nations. He also expressed hope that “integration will develop in a way that is beneficial for the entire Western Balkans.”
The country declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 as the Republic of Macedonia, but its diplomatic aspirations were long blocked by neighboring Greece, which considered that name a potential claim to its own northern province. Both sides agreed to the name North Macedonia this year as part of a deal to normalize relations and potentially to ease the country’s path into the European Union.
Not all of those at the gathering shared the pope’s enthusiasm for these developments. President Gjorge Ivanov, who represents a conservative party that considers the name deal treasonous, told the pope that his visit had come at the time of “great divisions” in the country, which he referred to as the Republic of Macedonia.
Mr. Ivanov is days from leaving office, however, having reached his term limit. His successor, Stevo Pendarovski, who was elected on Sunday, is an avid supporter of the name deal.
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev sounded determinedly upbeat about the papal visit. “There is joy all around, and hope after we showed courage in our decisions,” he said. “We can show that we can get along with everyone, and the pope can give us encouragement to be better people.”
Francis also received a warm welcome from the Macedonian Orthodox Church representative, Metropolitan Timothy.
The Macedonian Orthodox Church became autonomous in 1967, when Macedonia was part of socialist Yugoslavia. The Serbian Orthodox Church has shunned it ever since, and other churches have followed suit.
