Your Holiness,
Welcome to Croatia.

The Croatian nation and all Croatian citizens await you with smiles, joyful hearts and open arms. With your third visit in less than a decade, you are not only our dear guest but you have become an integral part of the history and daily life of our Homeland.

Your Holiness, you have visited Zagreb, Split, Marija Bistrica and Solin.

You are commencing your hundredth apostolic voyage on Krk, on an island, one of the thousand rocky islands scattered along the most jagged coastline in the Mediterranean. The salty fragrance of the Croatian macchia, pine trees, olive trees and immortelle will follow you along the Croatian Adriatic coast, from Rijeka, via Zadar to Dubrovnik. Also awaiting you are the joyful Slavonian plains – Osijek and Đakovo. You will see that in the nation that lives in these territories, there is a lively, noble and benevolent spirit that exults and rejoices in the Pope, that believes in the genuine value of love and peace.

We remember, Holy Father, the messages that you delivered to us on your previous visits. We remember your words on building a culture of peace, the significance of forgiveness, your appeal to forgive and seek forgiveness. That which you proclaimed in past years is being achieved, although sometimes not without difficulty. As you said, “Do not trust those who promise you easy solutions. Nothing great can be built without sacrifice.”

We have tried to be patient, steadfast, wise and cultivate solidarity. Difficulties have not discouraged us. We have always carried optimism and the joy of life within us.

Aware of the problems that are the legacy of history, war and our personal limitations, today we in Croatia want to continue the process of democratization, build a just society, a society of the just and personal safety for all our citizens. We want and intend to build such a society and a system that will guarantee a happy and joyful life for our families and the responsible upbringing of our children.

In our attempts to build a community of peace, justice and progress, we are on the path toward joining the European Union, as a desired goal for a united Europe that will, we believe, gather all its variety and riches, to be woven with the common sources and roots, among which Christianity is among the rudiments.

We know, Your Holiness, that we shall have your support in these noble desires and good works.

We rejoice, Your Holiness, in meeting you again. We wish you a pleasant and joyful visit to Croatia.

May you be accompanied on this apostolic voyage with song and love.