Speaking to reporters at the Apostolic Nunciature in Zagreb, Sanader said that the Pope was "a great man of our time, a peacemaker who fought for lasting human values such as freedom, peace and equal rights."
"The Pope was also the first person to help the Croatian people at a crucial time of their struggle for an independent and free state," the prime minister stressed. "The Croatian people will be forever grateful to him. We will keep him in our thoughts and our prayers, because he was a good person and a faithful friend who promoted true values, which will always be encouraging and motivating to us."
"The Holy Father's attitude towards Croatia was special, and Vatican diplomacy was among the first to support the right of the Croatian people to freedom and self-determination. The Vatican made an exception in recognising Croatia as an independent state," Sanader said.
Sanader and President Stjepan Mesic will attend the Pope's funeral in the Vatican on Friday, the president's office and the government announced on Tuesday.
Parliament President Vladimir Seks, who also signed the book of condolence, told reporters that Parliament would soon issue a charter in recognition of the Holy Father's immeasurable contribution to humanity and to Croatia. "With his departure, Croatia has lost a permanent protector and a great friend," Seks said.
The book of condolence was also signed by Parliament Vice-President Luka Bebic, Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic and Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic.