POPE JOHN PAUL II VISITS PRESIDENT TUDJMAN

( Editorial: --> 5393 ) ZAGREB, Oct 3 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II officially visited President Franjo Tudjman at the Presidential Palace in Zagreb on Saturday, where the Pontiff met Croatia's highest ranking officials and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Zagreb. The Pope was welcomed and greeted at the palace entrance by President Tudjman and his wife Ankica. In memory of the beatification of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, President Tudjman presented the Pontiff with a bronze sculpture of Cardinal Stepinac and a high relief symbolising the Pope's deeds and messages. The Holy Father gave President Tudjman a bronze relief "Saints Peter and Paul". In one of the Presidential Palace rooms President Tudjman introduced members of his family to the Pope. Later on, the President and Pope John Paul II withdrew to the President's cabinet where they held talks behind closed doors. Discussed were relations between the Holy See and Croatia and current international relations. Talks were also held in a separate room between Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa, at the head of a Government delegation, and the Holy See's State Secretary Angelo Sodano, who headed a Vatican delegation. The talks focused on a Vatican-Croatia economic agreement, which is to be signed soon. Also participating in the talks were representatives of the Catholic Church in Croatia, Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic and Cardinal Franjo Kuharic. The sculpture of Cardinal Stepinac, a gift to the Pope, was made by sculptor Tomislav Ostoja and the relief "Holy Father John Paul II - Croatia will always remain in your debt" by Krunoslav Bosnjak. (hina) jn rml/mbr 031948 MET oct 98