Puljic, who also chairs the Church committee for the preparation of the visit, said he hoped this event would help strengthen inter-ethnic trust and understanding in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and expected that the pontiff would call on the country's politicians to promote peace and co-existence based on equal rights and freedoms, respect for diversity, and cultural, ethnic and religious equality.
The cardinal also expects the Pope's visit to bring the attention of the international community to Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing the importance of the European Union's assistance in achieving stability and equal rights in the country.
When asked if there had been any changes to the initial plans for the visit in light of growing concerns over terrorism in the country, following a recent terrorist attack on a police station in the eastern town of Zvornik, Puljic said he was very pleased with the work of the Church committee for the preparation of the visit as well as with the cooperation with the State committee established for this purpose. "We are particularly pleased with the Security Service which is monitoring all developments. For now there have been no delays because of the Zvornik incident," he said.
The main programme of the visit will take place at Sarajevo's Kosevo Olympic Stadium, which seats 70,000 people.