Split, October 4, 1998 (IKA) — During the Solemn Mass in Žnjan (Split) celebrated by Pope John Paul II, he was given two symbolic gifts in addition to the eucharistic gifts. The first was a check for 100,000 DM, presented from all the Church among the Croats in gratitude for assistance provided to refugees and displaced persons during the trying period of the recent war and as a symbol of collaboration in all the Pope#!s future charitable activities throughout the world. The second gift, a wooden scale model of an 11th century Croatian ship — Condura Croatica, with a silver stand engraved with the names of all the Croatian bishops and archbishops, is the official gift from the Church among the Croats. Numerous other gifts to the Holy Father were also on display, to be presented to him later.
At the conclusion of the celebration of the Mass, before leading the recitation of the Angelus, Pope John Paul II addressed the faithful, emphasizing the following: “In the light radiated by the beautiful countenance of Our Lady, in a special way I greet the dear inhabitants of Split, who are celebrating the 1,700th anniversary of their city. I also greet the faithful of the Split-Makarska ecclesiastical territory and all the other faithful who participated in this Holy Mass, together with their Pastors. I express my special closeness to all who, with anxious hearts, still await reliable news on the destinies of their loved ones who disappeared during the recent war. I am close to those who were wrenched from their homes by the violence of war and who still cannot return to them, or when they return need help to rebuild their houses in order to resume a quiet family life,” emphasized the Holy Father as he spoke to the faithful. He also referred to the current events in Kosovo: “How could the tragedies occurring not far away, in Kosovo, not be mentioned here with profound compassion? May understanding, mutual respect, forgiveness and reconciliation finally supplant violence and devastation. In order to achieve this, with a great sense of solidarity the international community must not fail to provide its help on time.”
The Pope ended the prayer of the Angelus with the following words: “We commend these desires to the intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God. To Her protection we entrust your families, the sick and old, those who suffer in the aftermath of the recent war, your villages and cities. We pray to the Holy Virgin for all of Southeast Europe, for all the nations who live there finally to achieve mutual reconciliation, to be able to know peace, that they may participate in the life of the great human family with equal rights and duties.”
Referring to the feast of “the great champion of peace,” St. Francis of Assisi, which is celebrated today, the Holy Father entrusted peace for the region into the saint#!s hands, and congratulated the Croatian president, Cardinal Kuharić, retired Archbishop Franić of Split-Makarska, Bishop Komarica of Banja Luka and all others named Francis (Franjo) on their name day.
This was followed by the Pope#!s apostolic blessing of the faithful and 30 cornerstones for the building of new churches and pastoral centers throughout Croatia. The Holy Father also greeted the representatives of other religious communities attending the celebration of the Mass: 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. Following the Mass in njan, the Pope travelled by Popemobile through the streets of Split toward the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, wherein lies the grave of St. Domnius (sv. Dujam).