The pope also greeted the Croatian government delegation, led by Prime Minister Ivo Sander, his deputy and War Veterans Minister Jadranka Kosor and Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic.
Blessing Croatia, he addressed all Croatian pilgrims, notably members of the Military Diocese and members of the government delegation who arrived at the Vatican on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Croatia's independence.
Let the devotion to God be an expression of centuries-long aspirations towards freedom and independence of your country, the Holy Father said.
By arriving at the Vatican, members of the Croatian government and representatives of Homeland War associations wanted to express gratitude to the Holy See for having recognised Croatia among the first countries in 1992. The Vatican recognised Croatia on 13 January 1992, namely two days before the then 15 European Union members and other countries.
At the general audience, the pope called for living according to the words of Jesus Christ.
Some 7,000 believers gathered for today's general audience, after which Pope Benedict XVI gave a private audience to the Croatian prime minister.