Split, October 4, 1998 (IKA) — A Solemn Mass in commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the city of Split, celebrated in the Croatian language by Pope John Paul II, began at approximately 11 a.m. today.
The Pope travelled from Zagreb to Split aboard Croatian Airlines Airbus A319. When his plane touched ground, all the church bells in Split began tolling in welcome.
The Holy Father was met at the airport by Archbishop Ante Jurić of Split-Makarska who introduced him to his hosts from the county of Split-Dalmatia: the district prefect, Branimir Lukšić; the mayor of Split, Ivica Škarić; the mayors of the cities of Trogir, Solin and Kaštela, through which the Pope would pass on his way to Žnjan (Split) — Nenad Belas, Ante Sanader and Zvonimir Hrgović; and other military and government officials. After brief words of greeting, the Holy Father departed by Popemobile toward Žnjan, where the Mass would be held. In the Popemobile with the Holy Father were Archbishop Jurić and the Pope#!s personal secretary, Msgr. Stanislaw Dziwisz. Crowds of the faithful enthusiastically applauded the Pope as he passed through the streets of Split.
At Žnjan, the Pope was awaited by approximately half a million of the faithful, who had started to assemble the night before. Approximately 50,000 of the faithful from neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina travelled to Split, in addition to many from other countries. Several thousand believers came from Germany alone. There were also believers from Boka Kotorska (Montenegro). Approximately 350 boats were anchored along the Žnjan beach, from which those on board were able to follow the celebration of the Mass. These boats included two accurate replicas of old Croatian boats, The faithful using wheelchairs were placed right in front of the stage.
When the Pope arrived at Žnjan in his Popemobile, he was greeted by tumultuous applause and cheers. His arrival and the entire celebration of the Mass was accompanied by the singing of choirs composed of 2,100 singers. The choirs were conducted by Maestros Šime Marović, Fra Stipica Grgat, and Sister Mirta Škopljanac-Mačina. The program before the celebration of the Mass was organized by Prof. Ante Mateljan of the Split School of Theology.
At the Mass with the Holy Father held on an altar shaped like a clipper ship with sails, 600 priests concelebrated who sat on benches in front of the altar and 47 bishops and cardinals who proceeded to the altar in a solemn procession with the Holy Father. Also attending the Mass were the highest government officials, led by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Franjo Tuđman. Among the representatives of the other religious communities present were the metropolitan of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, Jovan Pavlović; the Serbian Orthodox parish priest of Šibenik, Ilija Karajović; and the Evangelical bishop in Croatia, Vladimir Deutsch. As the Pope reached the altar, the crowd cheered: “Papa, Papa!” while waving Croatian and Pontifical flags and scarves.
At the beginning of the celebration of the Mass, Archbishop Ante Jurić, as the host, was the first to greet the Holy Father. He thanked him for visiting the Church in Split-Makarska, which was awaiting his words with an open heart. Archbishop Jurić said he had eagerly waited for this day to arrive when together with the Holy Father he would celebrate the Holy Eucharistic Sacrifice on this holy soil, soaked with tears and the blood of martyrs, from the time of St. Domnius. “In their long histories, neither Split nor Salona (present-day Solin) have had the great good fortune of receiving as the most beloved guest the Bishop of Rome and the Successor of Peter,” said Archbishop Jurić, adding how Peter#!s Successors through the hard centuries of our struggle for existence and the preservation of the faithful had provided us with support, consolation and assistance. “We have especially felt this in your person during the recent war and the postwar period. This is how we experience your pastoral visit. For our people, it is a sign of support and protection,” said the Archbishop of Split-Makarska. Thanking the Holy Father for raising the symbol of the Croatian people#!s fidelity to the Church, Alojzije Stepinac, to the altar, Archbishop Jurić said that he justifiably hoped that other candidates from the Croatian nation would also be beatified in the near future.