CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST AT ZNJAN PART THREE

( Editorial: --> 5579 ) SPLIT, Oct 4 (Hina) - Pope John Paul II ended his Eucharist celebration in southern Croatian port of Split's district of Znjan by delivering his customary Sunday message to the world, the Angelus. The Holy Father in the Angelus said he was "particularly close to those who still today are anxiously awaiting definite news of the fate of their dear ones who disappeared during the recent war. "I am likewise close to those who were driven from their homes by the violence of war and have still not been able to return, or if they have returned, need help to complete the work of rebuilding their homes in order to resume peaceful family life", the Holy Father said. With deep compassion, the Pope also mentioned the current Kosovo tragedy. "May understanding, mutual respect, forgiveness and reconciliation at last take the place of violence and destruction. For this objective to be achieved, may the international community, with a great sense of solidarity, not fail to provide its timely help." The Holy Father granted apostolic blessing to all who attended the Znjan Mass, also blessing 30 cornerstones for future churches and pastoral centres. At the end of the celebration, the Pope was joined to the altar by Metropolitan Jovan, the primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, who was accompanied by Sibenik parson Ilija Krajovic. The Holy Father was also greeted by the Evangelical Church senior Vladimir Deutsch. More than half a million attended the Znjan Eucharist, including 50,000 faithful from Bosnia-Herzegovina, several hundred from Boka Kotorska in Montenegro, and numerous Croats from Germany. Especially solemn during today's Mass was the Communion, with the Pope personally giving Communion to 50 faithful. The other faithful received Communion from 300 priests. The ceremony was attended by some 600 other priests and several hundred nuns, as well as 47 bishops and cardinals. On the altar, made in the shape of a stylised boat in yellow, white and blue, the Pope was presented with a model of Condura Croatica, a Croatian ship dating from the 11th century. The model is the Croatian Church's official gift to the Pope. Among some 300 boats in the Znjan bay, from which numerous faithful attended today's Mass, are also two replicas, one of Condura Croatica in its original size, and one of the Falkusa, a traditional Croatian ship, from Komiz. (hina) ha jn 041453 MET oct 98