POPE GREETS CROATIAN FAITHFUL

( Vidi vijest: 4954 ) VATICAN, Oct 22 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II on Wednesday greeted Croatian faithful during a general audience, who arrived in the Vatican for two days as pilgrims. Greeting the faithful from Osijek, the Pope said, "Open your hearts to Christ devotedly, so you may along with him help with the reconstruction of the homeland after the difficult trial of the past war. Let this reconstruction change man and let it be a preparation for entrance into the third milennium. God bless you all". Pope John Paul also greeted pilgrims of the Hvar diocese and the Bishop of the Croatian island of Hvar, Slobodan Stambuk, whose diocese is celebrating its 850th birthday this year. Among the 1,050 faithful from Croatia, the audience was attended by 850 persons from Osijek, headed by bishop Marin Srakic, and accompanied by Mayor Zlatko Kramaric. After the audience, the Pope greeted Bishop Srakic,Kramaric and dean of the Osijek deanery, Nikola Kercov, during a special audience, who presented him with gifts. (hina) lm jn 221652 MET oct 97