Upon exiting the plane, decorated with the papal and Croatian flags, Pope Benedict XVI was welcomed by Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, the Archbishop of Zagreb Cardinal Josip Bozanic and the president of the Croatian Bishops Conference, Marin Srakic. Also present was a group of 450 faithful from Velika Gorica.
Present at the welcome ceremony were Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic and other state officials.
The pope was also greeted by Ivan and Klaudija Kardum and their five children, who gave him flowers, in keeping with the motive for the pope's visit - the National Day of Croatian Catholic Families.
The visit's logo is a family of five hugging, protected by hands, symbolising togetherness in Christ. Beneath, where their hands meet, are four little squares symbolising Croatia and recalling the four pontifical visits to Croatia. Behind them is Benedict XVI's white cross. The entire background is in papal yellow.
After the Vatican's and Croatia's anthems, President Josipovic and the Holy Father headed for a podium from which they will deliver welcome speeches. Josipovic will then be driven to his office, where he will receive the Pope, who will arrive there in a protected motorcade.
Throughout his stay in Croatia, the Pope will be accompanied by Cardinal Bozanic, Srakic, Cassari, Apostolic Nunciature advisor Mario Lalli, and the national coordinator for the pope's visit, Enco Rodinis.
This is the fourth pontifical visit to Croatia. Joseph Ratzinger's predecessor, Pope John Paul II, was in Croatia three times: on 10-11 September 1994, on 2-4 October 1998 and on 5-9 June 2003.