BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 4975 HINA Zagreb 5 June 2003

HR-POLITICS-Politika BRIEF NEWS BULLETIN IN ENGLISH NO. 4975 HINA Zagreb 5 June 2003 POPE JOHN PAUL II VISITS CROATIA FOR THIRD TIMEOMISALJ, June 5 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II arrived on Croatian soil for the third time, this time at the airport on Krk Island on Thursday afternoon. The pope was accompanied from Alitalia's plane by the Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia, Giulio Einaudi, who was the first to extend a welcome to the pope on the start of his five-day pastoral journey in Croatia. Leaving the plane on which the papal and Croatian flags were hoisted, a little before 5pm with a raised arm the Holy Father greeted and blessed the gathered state officials, church dignitaries and numerous faithful who started arriving at the airport hours before. The Holy Father was also greeted by the Croatian army's lined Guard of Honour. The army's Military Orchestra played the papal and Croatian anthems. The pope was welcomed at the airport by President Stjepan Mesic, Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic a