DJAKOVO/OSIJEK, June 7 (Hina) - Welcomed by the sounds of the organ, Pope John Paul II on Saturday paid a private visit to the Djakovo cathedral. After a prayer at the cathedral, the Holy Father drove in his Popemobile through Osijek
to the local airport, from where he flew to Rijeka, where he has been staying during his five-day visit to Croatia.
DJAKOVO/OSIJEK, June 7 (Hina) - Welcomed by the sounds of the organ,
Pope John Paul II on Saturday paid a private visit to the Djakovo
cathedral. After a prayer at the cathedral, the Holy Father drove in
his Popemobile through Osijek to the local airport, from where he
flew to Rijeka, where he has been staying during his five-day visit
to Croatia. #L#
Before his departure from the airport, the Pope was bid goodbye at a
magnificent ceremony. After yesterday's visit to the southern city
of Dubrovnik, the Pope today toured the eastern towns of Osijek and
Djakovo.
On his way from Djakovo to Osijek the Holy Father was greeted by
numerous believers. Some 50,000 citizens gathered in front of the
Osijek parish church of Saints Peter and Paul and nearby streets to
welcome the Pontiff.
The Pope made a short stop in front of the church, called the Osijek
cathedral by the city's residents.
The church was built in 1898 at the initiative of bishop Josip Juraj
Strossmayer. In 2000 it marked the 100th anniversary of its
consecration.
During the Serbian aggression on Croatia, the church was hit with
more than a hundred grenades and is still being repaired.
(hina) rml sb