Zagreb, (IKA) – A press conference on the occasion of the forthcoming Apostolic Visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the Republic of Croatia was held on Friday, May 27, at the headquarters of the Croatian Conference of Bishops in Zagreb. The conference was preceded by the final joint meeting of the Church and State Committees for Preparations for the Pope’s Visit.
Reporters were informed about the preparations by the President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek; the Vice President of the CCB, Archbishop Josip Cardinal Bozanić of Zagreb; and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia, and President of the State Committee for the Preparations for the Visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the Republic of Croatia, Gordan Jandroković.
Archbishop Srakić thanked those from the church and state institutions who, with great enthusiasm, dedication and diligence, have done their best to assure that the preparations are proceeding as they should, and that everything will be ready on time for the Holy Father’s visit. He thanked the journalists for covering the preparatory period and for everything they will do to help the Pope’s message reach many. “And today, through you I want to invite the faithful in the homeland and abroad to come to the Zagreb Hippodrome on June 5 for the celebration of the Eucharist with Pope Benedict XVI. A sufficient number of free tickets are available. Therefore, let this Mass be a sign of our Church and national unity. On that day, let us be “together in Christ,” urged Archbishop Srakić.
Minister Jandroković expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between the two committees and spoke of the importance of the Pope’s visit in political terms, emphasizing that it is a confirmation of the exceptionally good and friendly relationship between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See. In this context, he recalled that the Holy See was among the first to recognize Croatia.
“We are grateful for that and relations since then have developed in the spirit of friendship, cooperation and understanding. This fourth pontifical visit is an indication of the strength of these relations. The visit is even more important, considering the present moment, for the Republic of Croatia because we shall very soon commemorate the twentieth anniversary of our independence and also conclude negotiations and accession to the European Union. In the political sense, besides confirming the good relations between the two states, this visit also signals the clear support of the Holy See and the Holy Father for the conclusion of negotiations and the accession of Croatia to the EU. We are exceptionally grateful for this support, which will help us bring the negotiations to an end and then, as full members, participate actively in the work of the EU, always emphasizing those values that are deeply rooted in the Croatian nation,” said Minister Jandroković.
Speaking about the costs, he noted that they will be much lower than the Pope’s visits to other countries, ranging from 12 to 14 million HRK, and will be split in half between the state and Church.
Cardinal Bozanić said that there is great public interest in the Pope’s visit. Approximately 1,200 journalists have been registered, of whom several hundred are foreign. Approximately 25 television stations have also registered and these days he has personally given approximately twenty interviews to various foreign journalists. Speaking about the celebration of the Mass, Cardinal Bozanić noted that the number of pilgrims expected changes from hour to hour. Bishops from neighboring countries will also participate in the Mass. After the Mass and the prayer Queen of Heaven, Rejoice (Kraljice neba), the Pope will deliver a message to the faithful in the Slovenian, Italian, German, Hungarian, Serbian and Albanian languages.
Speaking about the Prayer Vigil, the Cardinal stressed that all the tickets have been distributed to the young people who will participate on Ban Jelačić Square but that in front of the cathedral there will be a video wall and sound system set up for all who do not have tickets but wish to participate. Tickets will not be necessary for those wishing to pray with the Pope in front of the cathedral and the Pope will pass through this area.
At the end conference, he once again invited all those who have not registered for the celebration of the Mass at the Zagreb Hippodrome to attend, noting that tickets will also be available at the entrance. Tickets are free of charge and are merely necessary for directing the pilgrims to their places.
It was also noted that Croatian Television will broadcast all the events from the Pope’s arrival in Croatia to his departure.