Banja Luka, (IKA/KTA) — The president of the Church Committee for the Preparations for Pope John Paul II’s Visit to Banja Luka, Msgr. Anto Orlovac, announced that the preparations for the Pope’s visit to Banja Luka on June 22 are in full swing. The civil engineering work on Petricevac in Banja Luka is on schedule and should be completed on time, noted Msgr. Orlovac, adding that at the moment the technical-traffic, protocol and safety commissions are currently the busiest. “The media and posters have already created a festive atmosphere. Catholics and all people of good will are preparing for the great event of the visit by the Holy Father and the beatification of the Venerable Ivan Merz. We are pleased to point out the good cooperation between the Church and Government committees, whose members are in constant contact,” stated Msgr. Orlovac.

As of June 2, the work of the Office of the General Secretariat for the Preparations for the Pope’s Visit to Banja Luka has intensified. All important information on the preparations and activities in connection with the Holy Father’s visit may be obtained from the Office, located in the building of the Ordinariate of the Banja Luka Diocese. The telephone number of the Office is 00 387 (0) 51 305-984, 304-993, fax: 319-212, and the e-mail address is ordinar@inecco.net.