Zagreb, October 25, 2003 (IKA) — At the Mass held on Saturday, October 25, at the Zagreb cathedral in observance of the entry of the archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Bozanić, into the College of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, the Church in Croatia officially introduced the new apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Francisco-Javier Lozano. After the prayer following holy communion, the newly appointed Nucnio Lozano addressed the assembly in the Croatian language, confirming his readiness and availability in the service of the Croatian nation and all the inhabitants of Croatia. “Sons and daughters of the Church in Croatia, the Holy Father John Paul II, who visited this blessed land three times, through me makes present the closeness, solidarity and love of the Father and Pastor of the Universal Church, the closeness and solidarity that in a special way has been demonstrated in moments of suffering and pain, but through God’s goodness, the times of oppression and lack of freedom are behind us and Croatia today is looking to the future with confidence and great hope,” said the new apostolic nuncio, mentioning that on the path of arduous work regarding advancement and integration into the great European family, the Holy See of the Catholic Church and Apostolic Nunciature will always be near and ready to cooperate. The new apostolic nuncio greeted all with the words of the resurrected Christ: “Peace be with you!” He explained that these words of the Lord guide his mission in Croatia, which is a country rich in beauty and firm in faith, a Christian faith that has been part of the life of the nation for thirteen centuries. On behalf of the Church in Croatia, Cardinal Josip Bozanić addressed the new nuncio with sincere words of welcome.