ZAGREB, June 5 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic held a speech welcoming Pope John Paul II upon his arrival to the airport on the northern Adriatic island of Krk on Thursday afternoon. The Holy Father will be on a five-day
visit to Croatia.
ZAGREB, June 5 (Hina) - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic held a
speech welcoming Pope John Paul II upon his arrival to the airport
on the northern Adriatic island of Krk on Thursday afternoon. The
Holy Father will be on a five-day visit to Croatia. #L#
"We remember, Holy Father, messages you forwarded us during your
previous visits. We remember Your words about building a culture of
peace, about the significance of forgiving, about the appeal to
forgive and to seek forgiveness. What You told us then has been
implemented in recent years, although sometimes not without
difficulty. As You said: Do not believe those who promise you easy
solutions. Nothing great can be built without sacrifice," the
Croatian head of state said welcoming the pontiff.
"Being aware of problems which are the legacy of history and war and
our personal limitations, we, in Croatia today, would like to
continue the process of democratisation, the building of a more
just society, a society offering legal and personal security for
all of our citizens. We wish to, we intend to and we shall build such
a society and such a system which will guarantee to our families a
happy and joyful life and the responsible upbringing of children,"
Mesic said.
"Making our efforts to build a community of peace, justice and
progress we are on the path towards joining the European Union as
our desired goal of the united Europe which, we believe, will gather
all of its diversities and riches and which will be woven on common
sources and roots in which Christianity is one of the foundations,"
the president added.
Mesic voiced confidence that Croatia would enjoy the pope's
support, and wished him a pleasant stay in Croatia.
(hina) ms sb