Osijek, (IKA) — “I think the Pope’s visit will contribute to a calmer approach to life and solutions to current problems,” said the President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic, in a statement issued at the Press Center at the Cepin Sports Airport in Osijek, where he will attend the Mass celebrated today by Pope John Paul II. President Mesic said that one of the main reasons for the Pope’s visit to Slavonia was because many of the villages and cities in this region were devastated during the recent war. “War leaves repercussions on people, those who survive. There were many victims and clearly there is hatred. However, we have to live, we have to forgive. Those who are guilty of war crimes must be held responsible for them,” said President Mesic. Speaking about his impressions after meeting with the Pope, the President of Croatia said that he was impressed by the Pope’s knowledge of the entire region, the problems and challenges confronted by Croatia as well as with those at the global level. The Croatian President also said that the Pope’s messages clearly addressed Croatian aspirations to join the European Union and that the Pope supports Croatia’s full membership in the European Union as soon as possible. Commenting on the threats that the Pope has received, President Mesic dismissed them as not serious and coming from those seeking to tarnish the Pope’s third visit to Croatia.

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Zlatko Tomcic said in his statement at the Osijek Press Center that he was sure that this was the ideal place for the Pope to repeat what he said at the airport on the island of Krk, that Croatia’s admission to the European Union would enrich it. Speaker Tomcic added that he thought one of the Pope’s most important messages was about the family. The Pope’s remarks yesterday at the Mass in Dubrovnik about the importance of women indicate that in this turbulent world, the Pope considers the family to be of primary importance, said Mr. Tomcic, because “a healthy family is a prerequisite for a healthy society.” The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament also noted that the city of Osijek was a particularly appropriate place for the Pope to deliver his messages on ecumenism, reconciliation, peace, coexistence and development.