EVENING MASS HELD IN ZAGREB ON EVE OF POPE'S ARRIVAL

( Editorial: --> 4815 ) ZAGREB, Oct 1 (Hina) - Archbishop Josip Bozanic led an evening mass in the Zagreb cathedral on Thursday night, on the eve of the arrival of Pope John Paul II who will beatify former Zagreb Archbishop and Catholic martyr Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. The sarcophagus on the Stepinac grave in the cathedral has been was opened before the liturgy. The mask of the late Cardinal's body in which his earthly remains have been laid can be seen through a glass coffin. The believers will be able to pay their respect to the soon to be Blessed Alojzije Stepinac during the month of October until November 1 (All Saints Day). Zagreb Cathedral will be closed for believers until Friday afternoon when the Pope is expected. The Pope will address the youth at the square in front of the Cathedral and then accompanied by bishops, cardinals and high- ranking church representatives he will head to the Stepinac grave. The Pontiff prayed here during his first historic visit to Croatia and Zagreb in September 1994. (Hina) it jn /mbr 012348 MET oct 98