Zagreb, (IKA) – On June 4, the first day of Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic visit to Croatia, he met with young people gathered on the main square in Zagreb who, despite the rain, had come from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Serbia, Germany, the Netherlands and Macedonia. The Holy Father rode to the square in the Popemobile through Ilica Street. He was welcomed by the Mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandić, who greeted him and gave him the keys to the city of Zagreb and a replica of the Zagreb coat-of-arms with a commemorative inscription.
At the beginning of the Vigil, the President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, greeted the Pope, welcoming him to Croatia and Zagreb. Above all, he greeted the Pope on behalf of the assembled Catholic young people, who had come from throughout Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other countries where there are many Croatian Catholic communities.
Also greeting the Pope on behalf of our Christian families, who are also gathering today and tomorrow for the National Encounter of Croatian Catholic Families, Archbishop Srakić said: “We want to deepen the awareness of the people of our time, presenting the family as an irreplaceable germ cell for the growth of the nation and Church.” Besides being the source of life, said the Archbishop, it is the place and ideal environment in which life, i.e., the human being, can grow and achieve its potential. “Holy Father, you are coming to us at a time when the world and our nation are in a climate of serious cultural, economic and political crisis, behind which lurks a profound crisis of spirit. This crisis has spread despondency, deepening ideological and other divisions, increasing discontent, from which it is difficult to see a way out,” said the Archbishop to the Pope.
Invoking the presence of the Blessed John Paul II, who intercedes for this, his beloved nation, to preserve its Christian roots, the Archbishop said that we experience him as among us at this time when Croatia is anticipating its accession to the European Union. “In this connection, it is worthwhile recalling the fatherly words that Your Holiness addressed to us bishops on the occasion of our visit ad limina five years ago: “Your country, Croatia, has always lived within the framework of European civilization, and with good reason wants to be recognized as a member of the European Union… Encouraging you to persevere, I assure you the support of the Holy See, which has always valued and loved Croatia.’ Your Holiness, thank you for your concern for Croatia!” said Archbishop Srakić to the Holy Father.