Holy Father,
It is with great joy and expressions of devotion and respect that I convey a heartfelt welcome to you on behalf of the people of God and all people of good will. Welcome to this soil, for centuries an oasis of Croatian freedom. Welcome to a city replete with historical memories of the bond between the Apostolic See and Dubrovnik.
When in March 1999, at the conclusion of a visit by the Croatian bishops to Your Holiness ad limina apostolorum, you said in parting: “Until we meet again in Dubrovnik,” we thought we were dreaming. In January of this year, the schedule of your third apostolic journey to the Republic of Croatia was confirmed, with a one-day pastoral visit to Dubrovnik. Thanks be to God, we experienced the joy and happiness of welcoming and saluting you in our own midst, of hearing your fatherly words of faith, hope and love, and congratulating you on the 25th anniversary of your pontificate and your recent 83rd birthday.
In addition to the bishops of the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina and other countries, there are numerous priests, monks and nuns here, together with the lay faithful, members of parish pastoral councils, Church associations, confraternities and movements from the territory of the Split-Makarska Metropolis: Šibenik, Hvar, Split, Dubrovnik and Kotor; other dioceses from the Republic of Croatia and the neighboring Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as pilgrims from Paraguay, Argentina, Peru and Chile. Representatives of other religious communities are also here, as are the highest officials of the Croatian Government and Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps in the Republic of Croatia, the officials of Dubrovnik-Neretva County and the city of Dubrovnik, mayors and magistrates, representatives of political parties, and representatives of the Croatian army and police. Members of all levels of society are here, from the economic, political, cultural and health professions to ordinary workers, sailors, fishermen and the media professionals from our country and foreign countries who are covering this event. In addition to the numerous members of institutions of consecrated and apostolic life are the spiritual daughters of the Venerable Servant of God Mary of Jesus Crucified (Marija Propetog Isusa) Petković, whom you will elevate today to the honor of the altar and enter on the list of the blessed ones of the Catholic Church.
Dubrovnik, an integral part of the European and world cultural heritage, preaches and sings today. Gruž Harbor is full of joy and lively song because your feet have trod the soil of this small diocese that is rich in history. The assembled people of God rejoice because your hands will bless not only the people and families of this region but also the martyred blood-soaked soil of this diocese and our homeland. There will be rejoicing today among the numerous witnesses in heaven who “in the best and worst of times” (cf. Tim 4,2) remained faithful to God and the Church, and in the constant struggle for the honorable Cross and golden freedom, succeeded in transmitting the faith and cultural legacy, upon which we base our lives today, to their descendents. I am sure that they will be joined by the Dubrovnik martyrs of Daksa, the priests and distinguished lay faithful. In this very harbor, in the year of the Lord 1944, they were taken from here and killed on that nearby island. We shall also be joined by the many defenders who fell during the Homeland War, who were not afraid of the power or weapons of those who intended to enslave not only this city – a symbol of freedom, but also the entire land of Croatia.
In November 1992, during the height of the war and the year of the international recognition of the independence of the Republic of Croatia, we bishops found ourselves with you ad limina apostolorum. On this occasion, the archbishop of Split-Makarska, Msgr. Ante Jurić, on behalf of the absent Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, greeted you and said: “On our path toward freedom, in our sufferings, we have constantly felt your proximity, Holy Father. Your attempts to resolve conflicts peacefully, stop the war and help the victims, promote respect for justice and the dignity of every person, every ethnic or confessional community, are known throughout the world. Your efforts are especially well known to us, who have directly and consistently experienced this solicitude. How can we express our gratitude, Holy Father?”
At that time, with the embrace of profound solidarity in Jesus Christ, our only hope (Tim 1,1), Your Holiness said that the people in Croatia “are experiencing a historical period” in which the Church is called “to a new springtime.” You were tireless throughout the war in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in your writing and persuasion. In your unforgettable pastoral visits, you poured the oil of the Gospels on the wounds of the injured Croatian populace, for which we are especially grateful. Thank you, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church and tireless champion of genuine peace! Thank you, sincere friend of each person, each nation and all of mankind.
Guide our boats today to the open seas and let their sails be unfurled. Set the direction of the stern and the speed. Warn us of favorable and unfavorable winds and the dangerous sea currents. Lead us to Jesus Christ, the sole redeemer of mankind, who is the way, truth and life. Remind us how his Cross is the only true compass, that leads us to the eternal harbor of salvation.
Before you, who represent the rock upon which Christ built his Church, with expressions of devotion, we want to renew our faith that has been transmitted from generation to generation, from the 7th century to our days. Our fathers emphasized with pride that they were a Marian people, because of the numerous shrines and churches built in honor of Our Lady. However, we are also a nation of St. Peter. We want to remain so always. We want to be grateful children of Mary and Peter. Thank you, Holy Father, for your benevolence and especially for your pastoral visit to the Dubrovnik Diocese.
I take this opportunity to thank you for the messages, letters and words of encouragement that you personally sent during the war as well as via your close associates, His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano and the Most Reverend Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran. Thank you especially for sending your personal envoy to the celebration of the feast of St. Blaise in 1993, His Eminence Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who in front of the church of our heavenly patron ignited the Easter candle, which you had given us three weeks earlier at the liturgical vigil in Assisi, as a pledge of Easter hope and lasting peace. Thank you for this day “that the Lord has given us,” on which you came to confirm our brothers in their faith and beatify the Venerable Servant of God Mary of Jesus Crucified (Marija Propetog Isusa) Petković. Thank you in advance for the words you will address to us today. Thank you for everything. Once again, on behalf of those present, on behalf of those who wanted to come here but were unable to do so, and on behalf of all those who are listening to us on radio and television, I exclaim: Welcome, Holy Father!