Boris receives dispensation to marry Giovanna

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October 15, 1930 

 The Vatican announced today that the Pope has agreed to the marriage between Princess Giovanna of Savoy and the Orthodox Bulgarian king, Boris III. Both the bride and groom have to provide a "written declaration promising to baptize and educate their children, without exception, in the Catholic religion."

  Boris's father, King Ferdinand, was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic church after he had Boris re-baptised, according to rites of the Orthodox church. This caused great concern and unhappiness for Boris' mother, the devout Princess Marie Louise of Bourbon-Parma. Thus, Ferdinand reckoned that his heir would follow the faith of the majority of the Bulgarian people. It was far more important for Boris to be raised as an Orthodox Christian. 

The Vatican's envoy to Bulgaria, Angelo Roncalli, has returned to Sofia "to make sure that the ceremonies which will be performed in Sofia contain nothing in conflict with the wedding celebration by the royal couple in Italy," according to a report in the New York Times. Boris' three younger siblings are Roman Catholic.