DUBROVNIK BISHOP WELCOMES POPE

DUBROVNIK, June 6 (Hina) - Before the beginning of Mass, organised at the port of Gruz in Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik Bishop Zelimir Puljic, held a speech of welcome greeting the Holy Father who arrived in this southern Croatian coastal city on Friday morning. #L# "Welcome to this soil which had been for centuries an oasis of the Croatian freedom. Welcome to a city abundant in memories about historical ties between the Apostolic See and Dubrovnik," the dignitary said and congratulated the pontiff on the 25th anniversary of his papacy and on his 83rd birthday. "Dubrovnik, which is now a part of the European and world cultural heritage, is singing and preaching today. (...) The gathered people are happy to see that Your hands will bless not only the local population and families but also the soil of our diocese and our homeland, soaked in the blood of martyrs," Puljic said. In this context he mentioned local martyrs from previous centuries, World War Two and the soldiers who gave their lives during the recent Homeland Defence War. The bishop thanked the pope for his unselfish support to the Croat people in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina during the war in 1990s. He also appealed on the pope "to direct our vessels" and take the Croat people towards Jesus Christ who is the Way, Truth and Life. The dignitary said the Croats would like to stay grateful children, of the Catholic Church, and again thanked the pontiff for his pastoral visit to Dubrovnik Diocese. About 60,000 pilgrims who gathered for the Mass in the port of Gruz cordially welcomed the pope, waving the papal and Croatian flags and chanting his name while he was climbing to the altar scene. There were pilgrims who had come from neighbouring countries and also from Paraguay, Argentine, Peru and Chile. Present at the Mass were dignitaries from other religious communities and Croatian officials, including President Stjepan Mesic. Sarajevo Archbishop, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, and Cologne Cardinal Joakim Meisner also took part in saying the Mass. Before arriving in the seaport of Gruz, the pope passed in his popemobile through Dubrovnik streets in which a large number of citizens stood to greet him. The whole city was decorated in the colours of the Holy See and Croatia for this occasion.