The charter is a mark of respect for the Holy Father's "faith in the strength of the Croatian people and society in accepting the culture of peace and life and his support to Croatia in its efforts to join the large family of European states," said Parliament President Vladimir Seks, who had tabled a motion for the adoption of the charter.
In this way Parliament also expressed its gratitude to the Pontiff's "personal contribution to the spiritual and social development of Croatia and the development of a culture of peace, recognition, dialogue, tolerance and solidarity," he added.
Parliament has passed only two such charters before -- one for the first Croatian president, Franjo Tudjman, and the other for Croatian soldiers who fought in the 1991-1995 war of independence.
Members of Parliament observed a minute of silence in honour of the Pope.