RIJEKA RIJEKA, June 5 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II arrived in Rijeka from Krk Island at 6:40 pm aboard a catamaran. At the Karolina Rijecka quay he was greeted by many joyful faithful.
RIJEKA, June 5 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II arrived in Rijeka from Krk
Island at 6:40 pm aboard a catamaran. At the Karolina Rijecka quay
he was greeted by many joyful faithful. #L#
People standing in the streets garnished with papal, Croatian and
Rijeka flags, greeted the pontiff with a song which the pope wrote
and put to music himself. He returned the greetings to the cheering
faithful and blessed them.
Rijeka Mayor Vojko Obernsel greeted the Holy Father on the quay.
"Welcome to the city of long and turbulent history, the city on
Rijecina River and the Adriatic Sea, a city whose residents are
proud of their openness, tolerance and hospitality, which I
believe, you will feel yourself," Obersnel said.
He stressed this seaport considered the coexistence of various
beliefs and convictions as riches, and with great care fostered the
ecumenism which the pope spread around the world.
The mayor presented the Holy Father with a gift from Rijeka
residents -- a replica of an iron trunk in which sailors in the 18th
and 19th centuries carried valuable items which reminded them of
their homeland.
After the welcome at the harbour, the pope continued in his
popemobile towards Rijeka's Seminary, some three kilometres from
the harbour. The seminary will be the pope's residence during his
five-day stay in Croatia. The building is a modern construction,
built in 1988.
Around 7pm the popemobile entered the inner courtyard of the
seminary. The pope and his closest associates will stay on the first
floor, where a suite has been prepared for him. The suite includes a
studio, a bedroom, a chapel and a sacristy.
The first floor also holds a reception area in which Pope John Paul
will receive Croatian President Stjepan Mesic for a private
audience later in the evening.
(hina) lml sb