Rome, November 27, 1998 (IKA) – Yesterday was the first day of a three-day conference held the Gregorian University in Rome on Marko Marulić (1450-1524), Croatian poet and Catholic humanist. The president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Cardinal Paul Poupard, presided. Pope John Paul II sent a telegram to the conference participants, that included the following: “I hope that the international conference on Marko Marulić, Croatian poet and Catholic humanist, a noble and eclectic figure, and a witness of profound and genuine spirituality, will strengthen the commitment of all for renewed evangelization in contemporary society.” The conference was organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture in cooperation with the Marulianum Center in Split and the Croatian Pontifical Institute of St. Jerome in Rome under the title “Proposal for the Europe of the Third Millennium.” Cardinal Poupard emphasized the high European reputation enjoyed by Marulić, who during a difficult period called for the assistance of Europe and perceived its weaknesses. The current conference was dedicated to examining the historical circumstances in the Mediterranean as well as continental Europe and Asia Minor, that affected the events in Dalmatia and Split during the time of Marko Marulić. Prof. Tomislav Mrkonjić of the Vatican Secret Archives presented a broad and detailed description of the situation in these lands during the 14th and 15th centuries. Prof. Slavko Kovačić of the Theological Institute of Split spoke specifically about the situation of the Church during the times of Marulić and gave a very critical evaluation: “Not only were the bishops of Split persons who had no connection with Split, but many of them did not even come to the diocese. In this dark context, Marulić provided a little light to Split and Europe,” said Prof. Kovačić. During the morning, other speakers included Prof. Agostino Borromeo, director of the Italian Institute for Iberian Research, and Prof. Stjepan Krasić of the St. Thomas Aquinas University who spoke on the life and education of Marko Marulić. Also attending the conference were the Croatian ambassador to Italy, Davorin Rudolf; the Croatian ambassador to the Holy See, Marijan Šunjić; Archbishop Ante Jurić of Split-Makarska, retired Archbishop Marijan Oblak of Zadar, Bishop Želimir Puljić of Dubrovnik, Bishop Ratko Perić of Mostar-Duvno, and the ambassadors of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia to the Holy See. Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb is also expected to attend. According to Cardinal Poupard, the second half of this international conference will be held next year in Rome.