RIJEKA: POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT MESIC

RIJEKA, June 5 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II on Thursday evening received Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic in his residence in Rijeka's seminary, which will serve as the base for the Holy Father and his entourage during his five-day journey in Croatia. #L# After his private audience with the pontiff, President Mesic introduced his family to him and they exchanged gifts and posed for their joint photograph. Present at this meeting were also Vatican officials led by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, while the Croatian head of state was accompanied by his advisor on internal affairs, Ivica Mastruko, and the acting chief of his protocol, Milada Privora. (hina) ms