Zagreb, (IKA) – At a press conference held on April 20 at the Secretariat of the Croatian Conference of Bishops in Zagreb, a website covering forthcoming visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia was presented. The website, located at the address www.papa.hr, was discussed by the president of the Committee of the Zagreb Archdiocese for Welcoming the Holy Father, Auxiliary Bishop Mijo Gorski of Zagreb. He pointed out that on the home page, next to the logo of the Pope’s visit, the motto “Together in Christ” is written in old Croatian Glagolitic script. The website will be regularly updated, with new content added. It already has audio and video files. Bishop Gorski noted that it is possible for all interested to send videos with their testimonies, i.e., messages of welcome to the Pope. On the website there is also material from Pope John Paul II’s visits to Croatia and a large audio section with recordings of his addresses to the Croatian faithful. The design of the website was prepared by Glas Koncila. Approximately forty student volunteers participated in the collection of the materials. Bishop Gorski also mentioned that applications for meeting the Pope at the Vigil and Mass at the Hippodrome can be submitted exclusively via parishes, from which free tickets can be obtained.
Greeting those assembled, the President of the CCB, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, commented on the joy with which Pope Benedict XVI accepted his invitation to visit Croatia. Bishop Srakić recalled that earlier visits by Pope John Paul II had a profound impact. Therefore, on behalf of the Croatian bishops, he once again urged all the faithful to respond to the programs within the framework of the pastoral visit. He also invited the faithful to continue to pray for the intention of the visit. Bishop Srakić underscored the role of the media, which can help make the visit a success.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia, and President of the State Committee for the Preparation and Monitoring of the Visit by Pope Benedict XVI to the Republic of Croatia, Gordan Jandroković, thanked the representatives of the CCB for their cooperation in the joint preparations. He emphasized that the visit is important for believers and also for all the citizens of Croatia and the country as a whole at this important moment at the conclusion of negotiations with the EU. He mentioned the relations between Croatia and the Holy See, which have been friendly since they were established, and particularly noted the support provided by the Holy See and Holy Father to Croatia on its path to the EU. In this context, he recalled the recent words of Pope Benedict XVI when he received the credentials of the new Croatian Ambassador to the Holy See. The minister noted that the press center will be located in the Hotel Westin and the registration of domestic and foreign journalists will begin soon.
Msgr. Enco Rodinis, the General Secretary and Chief Coordinator of the CCB Organizing Committee for the Preparation and Monitoring of the Visit by the Holy Father, presented the program of the Pope’s visit, which was officially announced by the Vatican on Monday, April 18. He said that when the Pope arrives on Saturday, June 4, at the Zagreb airport, in addition to Church and state representatives, he will also be welcomed by the faithful of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac Parish of Velika Gorica.