RIJEKA ARCHDIOCESE ORDINARIATE ON WELCOME CEREMONY FOR POPE

RIJEKA, June 6 (Hina) - The Rijeka Archdiocese Ordinariate believes that Thursday's ceremony organised to welcome the arrival of Pope John Paul II in Rijeka, which drew some 50,000 residents of Rijeka and the surrounding area, is the best proof of how much Croatian citizens respect the Holy Father and his apostolic messages, the Ordinariate said in a statement on Friday. #L# The Ordinariate especially stresses the Pope's message of love to the whole of Croatia, which he said he was visiting with great affection for the third time in a dozen years. One should particularly appreciate the Pope's message calling for love and unity in the world. A proof of that is the Pope's unreserved support to Croatia's bids to become, as soon as possible, part of the European community of peoples whose historical, cultural and religious heritage it shares, the statement reads. (hina) rml sb