ZAGREB, May 28 (Hina) - Preparations for the third visit of the Holy Father to Croatia on 5-9 June are intensively being carried out regarding both the organisation of the pope's stay and religious services in all four Croatian
dioceses and five cities which the pontiff is to visit, the national co-ordinator for the Pope's visit to Croatia, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak, said. Huzjak said that the Holy Father's visit to Croatia was not only important for the local Church but also for the entire Croatian society. He told a news conference that many reporters and media experts were engaged in covering the event, and expressed satisfaction that Croatia Airlines would transport the pope to all destinations in the country. Huzjak stressed that this would be the 100th tour of the pope in 25 years of his pontificate, and added that the Holy Father would be welcomed as an apostle of peace and friend of the Croatian natio
ZAGREB, May 28 (Hina) - Preparations for the third visit of the Holy
Father to Croatia on 5-9 June are intensively being carried out
regarding both the organisation of the pope's stay and religious
services in all four Croatian dioceses and five cities which the
pontiff is to visit, the national co-ordinator for the Pope's visit
to Croatia, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak, said.
Huzjak said that the Holy Father's visit to Croatia was not only
important for the local Church but also for the entire Croatian
society.
He told a news conference that many reporters and media experts were
engaged in covering the event, and expressed satisfaction that
Croatia Airlines would transport the pope to all destinations in
the country.
Huzjak stressed that this would be the 100th tour of the pope in 25
years of his pontificate, and added that the Holy Father would be
welcomed as an apostle of peace and friend of the Croatian nation.
Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic voiced satisfaction with the
coming visit of the pontiff, and adding that this event would serve
as great promotion of Croatia in the spiritual, international and
tourist sphere.
Bozanic, the president of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, spoke
about the strengthening of ecumenical dialogue among religious
communities, which would be encouraged by the pope's arrival in the
country. Bozanic added that the Catholic Church in Croatia was open
for ecumenism and dialogue, and it was also promoting European
unity.
In this context, Bozanic informed the news conference that during
his stay in Osijek, the pope would put an emphasis on ecumenism and
after saying a Mass, he would receive dignitaries of other
Christian communities in that part of Croatia.
The Holy Father would like to give his contribution to ecumenical
efforts in Croatia, the Zagreb archbishop said, adding that a new
mood could be felt between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches in the
country.
"As regards those processes, we are looking at them with hope," he
said adding that the Catholic Church thus helped the Croatian unity
in the nation.
Rijeka Archbishop Ivan Devcic recalled that the city of Rijeka
would be the main place of residence for the pope during his visit to
Croatia where he would tour Dubrovnik, Osijek, Djakovo, Rijeka and
Zadar.
(hina) ms sb