POPE TO VISIT CROATIA BETWEEN OCTOBER 2 AND 4 - ZAGREB ARCHBISHOP

( Editorial: --> 2415 ) KRASIC, May 8 (Hina) - The Pope will visit Croatia between October 2 and 4 this year, archbishop of Zagreb Josip Bozanic said in Krasic Friday. Bozanic made the Holy See's decision known at the beginning of a mass celebrating the 100th anniversary of Croatian cardinal Alojzije Stepinac's birth. The Pope will beatify Stepinac in Marija Bistrica on October 3, Bozanic announced, pointing out this news was of outstanding significance for the Church in Croatia and the whole Croatian people. Today's mass marks the beginning of a spiritual preparation for the Holy Father's visit, the archbishop of Zagreb said. He asked attending apostolic nuncio Giulio Einaudi to convey the Croatian people's gratitude to the Pope. The event was, among others, also attended by Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa and Jure Radic, president of the State Commission for Relations with Religious Communities. (hina) ha 081255 MET may 98