VATICAN, June 4 (Hina) - On the eve of coming to Croatia for the third time, Pope John Paul II said on Wednesday the aim of his visit was to bolster the faith of the Catholic community which in times of religious persecution remained
faithful to Jesus Christ and fearlessly faced current challenges.
VATICAN, June 4 (Hina) - On the eve of coming to Croatia for the
third time, Pope John Paul II said on Wednesday the aim of his visit
was to bolster the faith of the Catholic community which in times of
religious persecution remained faithful to Jesus Christ and
fearlessly faced current challenges. #L#
Saluting Croatian pilgrims at a general audience in the Vatican,
the pope said the 13 years of Croatia's independence had seen the
strengthening of religious structures which now focused on a more
penetrating evangelical activity, Croatia's Catholic Press Agency
said.
"I am entrusting my hundredth apostolic journey to the Holy Virgin,
who is so venerated in Croatia, to follow my steps and pray for the
Croatian people to have a new spring of faith and civic progress,"
the Holy Father said.
(hina) ha sb