ARCHBISHOP BOZANIC LEADS CHRISTMAS EVE MASS IN ZAGREB CATHEDRAL

( Editorial: --> 0860 ) ZAGREB, Dec 25 (Hina) - The Archbishop of Zagreb and President of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, Josip Bozanic, led a solemn Christmas Eve mass in the Zagreb Cathedral last night. The mass was attended by President Franjo Tudjman with his family and many senior state officials. "Tonight we feed our souls, broaden our hearts and pray. We pray for our loved ones; we pray for our children, young people, parents; mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. We pray for the elderly, for all sufferers and patients, displaced people and returnees. We pray for our homeland, Croatia, for peace in it and in the world," Bozanic said during the service. Traditional Croatian Christmas songs were sung during the mass, which ended with the playing of the national anthem "Our Beautiful Homeland". At the end of the midnight mass, Bozanic greeted President Franjo Tudjman and senior government and parliament officials, wishing them a merry Christmas. Later on, President Tudjman, accompanied by his family and associates, took a walk round central Ban Jelacic Square, exchanging Christmas greetings with citizens. Asked if he would like to send a message to Croatian citizens on the occasion of Christmas and New Year holidays, the President briefly said that "this year was good and the next will be even better." (hina) vm mm 251124 MET dec 97