CROATIA BIDS FAREWELL TO POPE JOHN PAUL II

( Editorial: --> 5723 ) SPLIT, Oct 4 (Hina) - Before leaving Croatia for Rome, Pope John Paul II thanked the Zagreb and Split-Makarska Archdioceses for their hospitality and love shown to him during his three-day visit. At Split airport, the Pope spoke to Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, bishops, military authorities and all citizens of Croatia, expressing gratitude to those who had spared no effort that his visit could proceed in the best possible way. "In Croatia, I have been able to meet a Church which is full of life, rich in enthusiasm and energy, despite the adversities and abuses of power which she has suffered," the Pope said. He said he had seen a society "which desires to build its present and future on solid democratic foundations, in complete fidelity to its own history, which is permeated by Christianity, in order to take its rightful place in the assembly of the other European nations." "With joy I recognise that yours is a country which, having recovered freedom and overcome the sad vicissitudes of war, is now reconstructing itself and renewing itself materially and spiritually with keen determination," Pope John Paul II stressed. He called on all persons of good will not to forget the tragedies the peoples of this region had suffered during their history, especially in this century. May there be no lack of the concrete and generous help which individuals and families need in order to live in freedom and equality, the Holy Father said. He added that Europe had set out on a new stage of its journey towards unity and growth, and to make the joy complete, no one must be forgotten on the path which leads to the common European home, he said. "For her own part, Croatia must show great patience, wisdom, a willingness to make sacrifices and generous solidarity in order to overcome definitively the present post-war phase and attain the noble goals to which she aspires," the Pope stressed. At the end, the Holy Father wished that God grant Croatia peace, harmony and consistency in its efforts for the benefit of all. Saying farewell to the Pope, President Tudjman said: "You have reinforced us in faith, convinced us that we can look with pride to our achievements and build our future with confidence. Along with your prayers and the blessing of the Almighty, your messages will be a bright sign-post in the construction of a healthy society in our free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Homeland." Your elevation of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, martyr and patriot, to the honour of the Altar of the Blessed at the magnificent mass at Marija Bistrica, is the expression of God's love and tribute to his person, but also to the Croatian people, a reward for everything the Croatian people endured together with him in the Communist inferno, Tudjman added. He recalled that the Pope had, during his pontificate, bore witness to and was an active factor of past changes. The name of Karol Woytila, Pope John Paul II, will remain recorded in history in golden letters, as a man and Vicar of Christ who has contributed the most to the efforts for peace and the welfare of humankind, Tudjman said. "In the most crucial moments you wholeheartedly supported the Croats in the achievement of their century-long goal. "This is why Christian, free and democratic Croatia once again greets you today as a global and ecclesiastical dignitary, dear guest and friend, who has reinforced in our people the faith, pride and trust in the future by elevating Cardinal and martyr Stepinac to the Altar of the Blessed," President Tudjman stressed. "Holy Father, our prayers are addressed to the Almighty, that he may grant (you) many more years at the helm of the Catholic Church, to the benefit of all people, and to the glory of God and peace-loving peoples," he said, thanking the Pope personally, and on behalf of the Croatian people. Tudjman presented the Holy Father with an album of photographs taken during his three-day stay in Croatia. The Holy Father then bid farewell to the bishops from Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Boka Kotorska (a coastal region of Yugoslavia), as well as representatives of state and local authorities. Before boarding the aircraft which was to take him to Rome, the Pope greeted Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic, Split-Makarska Archbishop Ante Juric, the Apostolic Nuncio in Croatia Giulio Einaudi, and President Tudjman. (hina) lml /mbr 042139 MET oct 98