Krk, (IKA) – After the Alitalia flight carrying the Holy Father landed at the Krk Airport, the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop, Giulio Einaudi, and the acting chief of protocol of the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia, Milada Privora, entered the airplane. In front of the airplane stood the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, the President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic, and Archbishop Valter Zupan of Krk. The Pope was saluted by the Commander of the Honor Guard, Colonel Dragan Basic, and anthems were played.

After the arrival of Pope John Paul II at the Rijeka airport on the island of Krk, President Stjepan Mesic of the Republic of Croatia welcomed him, as follows:
“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,” began President Mesic, noting that the Pope had already visited Zagreb, Split, Marija Bistrica and Solin, and now all of Croatia is rejoicing, from the Mediterranean to Slavonia.
“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,” said President Mesic in his speech. Recalling that the Pope had cautioned against trusting those who promise easy solutions, President Mesic noted: “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.” Stressing his awareness of problems that are “the legacy of history, war and our personal limitations,” the President of the Republic of Croatia affirmed how “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 his greeting, President Mesic mentioned Croatian attempts to join the European Union, expressing the hope that 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,” and added that we know that we shall have the support of the Holy Father in this. In the conclusion of President Mesic’s words of welcome to the Holy Father at the airport on the island of Krk, he once again expressed his joy at meeting the Holy Father again, expressing his wish for the Pope’s travels to be accompanied by song and love.

In response to the greetings by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Pope John Paul II expressed his thanks to Almighty God for having allowed him to come to “the beloved land of Croatia,” and embraced “with affection” the entire Catholic community in Croatia, his “Brother Bishops,” and offered a special greeting to Bishop Valter Zupan and the priests, religious and laity of the Diocese of Krk, in whose territory the airport is located. The Pope also greeted “the members of other Churches and Ecclesial communities, and the followers of Judaism and Islam.” The Pope was “pleased that on this occasion we can join in testifying to our common responsibility for building the society in justice and mutual respect… I have come among you in order to fulfill my mission as the Successor of Peter and to bring to all those living in this country greetings of peace and a heartfelt prayer for peace. In visiting the Dioceses of Dubrovnik and Djakovo-Srijem and the Archdiocese of Rijeka and Zadar, I shall be able to honor the ancient Christian roots of this land, steeped in the blood of countless martyrs,” said the Holy Father, adding that he was thinking of the martyrs of the first three centuries of Christian times, in particular the Martyrs of Sirmium and of Dalmatia as a whole, but also those of successive centuries and modern times, including the heroic figure of the Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. The Pope noted that he was also about to beatify Sister Mary of the Crucified Jesus Petkovic (Marija Propetog Isusa Petkovic) and Ivan Merz: “The memory of these intrepid witnesses to the faith makes me reflect with deep emotion and gratitude on the Church which gave them birth and on those difficult times in which she jealously preserved her fidelity to the Gospel.”
The Pope also made reference to the rich Glagolitic heritage of the island of Krk, noting how “Christianity greatly contributed to Croatia’s development in the past. It can also continue to make an effective contribution to Croatia’s present and its future. There are values, such as the dignity of the human person, moral and intellectual integrity, religious freedom, the defense of the family, openness to and respect for life, solidarity, subsidiarity and participation, respect for minorities, which are inscribed in the nature of every human being but which Christianity had the merit of clearly identifying and proclaiming. It is on these values that the stability and true greatness of a nation are based.”
The Pope spoke about Croatia’s application for membership in the European Union: “I can only express my hope that this aspiration will be happily realized: the rich tradition of Croatia will surely contribute to strengthening the Union as an administrative and territorial unit, and also as a cultural and spiritual reality,” emphasized the Holy Father in his greetings at the airport on the island of Krk. He also recalled the still painful signs of the recent past that are present in Croatia and several neighboring countries. “May those who exercise civil and religious authority never tire of trying to heal the wounds caused by a cruel war and of rectifying the consequences of a totalitarian system that for all too long attempted to impose an ideology opposed to man and his dignity,” stated the Pope, noting that “for almost thirteen years, Croatia has trod the path of liberty and democracy.”

“As it looks to the future with confidence and hope, it now needs to consolidate a social stability, with the responsible and generous contribution of everyone, that will further promote steady employment, public assistance, an educational system accessible to all young people and freedom from all forms of poverty and inequality in a climate of cordial relations with neighboring countries,” said the Holy Father in his greetings at the airport on the island of Krk, invoking the intercession of St. Joseph, Patron of Croatia, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, Advocate of Croatia and Most Faithful Mother,” bestowing a blessing on Croatia and all its inhabitants.

Following the salutations, Pope John Paul was greeted by the speaker of the Parliament, Zlatko Tomcic, Premier Ivica Racan, members of the Government, and state and military officials. Then President Stjepan Mesic was greeted by the distinguished officials of the Holy See, led by Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

The ceremonial welcome for the Holy Father at the airport on the island of Krk was also attended by the members of the Permanent Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops – Archbishop Ivan Prendja of Zadar, Archbishop Marin Barisic of Split-Makarska, Bishop Mile Bogovic of Gospic-Senj, the bishops of the Rijeka Metropolis: Archbishop Ivan Devcic of Rijeka, Bishop Ivan Milovan of Porec-Pula and Bishop Valter Zupan of Krk; the general secretary of the Croatian Conference of Bishops and the national coordinator of the Pope’s visit to Croatia, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak; the first secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Republic of Croatia, Gianpaolo Rizzoti and others. The ceremony was enhanced by music performed by the choirs of the island of Krk and the Military Wind Orchestra.

Following the ceremonial welcome at the airport on the island of Krk, Pope John Paul II and his entourage, together with Church and Government officials, were taken toward the harbor at Omisalj. The Holy Father was taken to the Rijeka harbor by catamaran and from there continued to the theological college, where a meeting was planned with the President of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic