Citizens to plan their movement in Skopje ahead of Pope Francis’ visit


The Government of North Macedonia calls on citizens to plan their commute and movement in the center of Skopje ahead of the apostolic visit of Pope Francis on Tuesday, May 7. Pedestrian movement will not be obstructed and special traffic rules for movement of vehicles will apply.

Government spokesperson Mile Boshnjakovski said Thursday all state and private capacities will be secured with the necessary conditions for regular commute and operations, having in mind that May 7 is a working day.

Special traffic rules will apply in the center of Skopje on Tuesday, May 7, in the period between 06:00h and 19:00h, as this area will be a strictly secured zone. There will be limited traffic and movement of vehicles diverted to Kocho Racin Blvd., 11 Oktomvri, Sv. Kiril i Metodij str., Sv. Kliment Ohridski Blvd., Partizanski Odredi Blvd., Samoilova str. and Goce Delchev Blvd.

People who live in the secured zone and want to use their vehicles on May 7 are advised to park them beyond the zone on May 6, as they will not be able to take their vehicles out of the zone during the special traffic regime between 06:00h and 19:00h on May 7.

Boshnjakovski advised all people on the territory of Skopje to use public bus transport which will be free of charge on May 7.

“Movement in the central city area will not be obstructed for all pedestrians regardless of where they live or work,” Boshnjakovski noted. “Citizens will need to identify themselves with a valid ID document, and because movement will be generally slowed down we advise them to leave their homes half an hour earlier than usual to reach their destination on time.”