ZAGREB, Jan 7 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan on Tuesday received an official delegation of the Vatican, that is in charge of the preparations of the third visit of the Pope John Paul II to Croatia, read a press release of the
Croatian government's public relations office.
ZAGREB, Jan 7 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Ivica Racan on Tuesday
received an official delegation of the Vatican, that is in charge of
the preparations of the third visit of the Pope John Paul II to
Croatia, read a press release of the Croatian government's public
relations office. #L#
The Vatican's protocol head, Msgr. Renato Boccardo, said the Holy
Father accepted the invitation of the government and four bishops
to pay the third visit to Croatia this year.
He relayed the Pontiff's greetings to Croatians adding that he
remembered his two previous visits to Croatia with much love.
Msgr. Boccardo said the delegation of the Holy See would tour
Rijeka, Djakovo, Zadar and Dubrovnik to draw up a draft programme of
the pope's visit.
The aim of that visit will be to enhance the relations between
Zagreb and the Holy See, and the pope would like to point to the
unity and joint cultural and spiritual roots of peoples of east,
west and central Europe, the Vatican's official added.
Premier Racan said his cabinet was looking forward to the pope's
visit, and would help organise his trip in the best possible
manner.
He informed the delegation that the government had recently
established a committee for preparations and coverage of the pope's
visit to Croatia, at whose helm is Deputy Prime Minister Goran
Granic.
Racan asked the delegation to notify the Holy Father that Croatia
was very happy to be able to be the host, for the third time, to the
Pontiff.
(hina) ms