POPE PRESENTED WITH KEYS TO CITY OF SPLIT

( Editorial: --> 5593 ) SPLIT, Oct 4 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II on Sunday received the keys to the City of Split in front of the St. Domnius Cathedral. The keys were handed by Split Mayor Ivica Skaric as a sign of gratitude and welcome for the Pope's visit. The silver keys on a small stand are the creation of Split painter Vasko Lipovac. The stand bears relief motifs of Split's famous buildings and cultural monuments, such as the Peristil, the Silver Gate, the St. Domnius Cathedral, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Old City Hall and the Baptismal Font. The gift is contained in a wooden box bearing the coats-of-arms of Croatia and the City of Split. Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Branimir Luksic presented the Holy Father with a painting by Mile Skracic called "St. Nicholas, Patron of Seamen". Before entering the St. Domnius Cathedral, the Holy Father, accompanied by Split-Makarska Archbishop Ante Juric, greeted local high-ranking Church dignitaries. The manager of the Split Museum of Archaeology Emilio Marin acquainted the Pope with the most important heritage in the St. Domnius Cathedral, such as the entrance gate, which dates from 1214. The oldest book which appeared on Croatian soil was on this occasion pulled from the Cathedral's safe. The "Split Evangelistary" was transferred to Split from Salonae in mid-seventh century alongside St. Domnius relics. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the oldest cathedral in the world, was connected with the St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral in Rome under a special decision of Pope Clement XIV. Pope John Paul II said a prayer on the grave of Split patron St. Domnius. Afterwards, he headed for the Bishops' Palace to meet the members of the Croatian Bishops' Conference. (hina) ha jn 041533 MET oct 98