RIJEKA ARCHBISHOP WELCOMES POPE

RIJEKA, June 8 (Hina) - Rijeka Archbishop Ivan Devcic welcomed Pope John Paul II at the beginning of the Eucharist he celebrated on Sunday in Rijeka's Delta square in the presence of more than 100,000 people. #L# "We ask you Holy Father to encourage our families, which are facing many economic, moral and cultural challenges, so that in the third millennium, supported by the entire society, they could successfully promote life and faith in Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of man," Devcic said. He recalled the Holy Father's permanent care for family, which is the central topic of the Pontiff's visit to Croatia. "Holy Father, you are in a city which for centuries has been built and improved, along with Croats, by members of other nations, primarily Italians and Hungarians. Our history is rich and times of true co-existence were much deeper and longer than those marked by misunderstandings and animosity," Devcic said. The archbishop said he was glad to see the building of the new community of European peoples, which he said would emphasise their unique qualities, as well as common elements. "We are in the immediate vicinity of the European Union, which has just been enlarged and in which the Croatian people see their future. While we thank you for your efforts not to let the new Europe forget its deep Christian roots, we ask you to continue helping us on our way to the new European unity," Devcic said. Also present at today's Eucharist was Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan. (hina) rml