Zagreb, (IKA) – On June 5, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, held a press briefing at the Press Center in the Hotel Westin after the Mass at the Zagreb Hippodrome on the occasion of the First National Day of Catholic Families. At the beginning of the briefing, Fr. Lombardi particularly noted the exceptional welcome shown to the Pope from the very beginning of his visit, not only by the people but also the highest officials in political life. The President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and Ministers, and the Speaker of Parliament not only warmly received the Holy Father but also participated in all the encounters, not only those of protocol but also the encounter at the Croatian National Theater, prayer vigil with the young and today’s Mass at the Zagreb Hippodrome. Regarding the numbers of participants, he said they exceeded expectations. At the vigil, approximately 50,000 participated, 30,000 of whom on the main square and the rest in front of the cathedral and nearby streets. Over 400,000 of the faithful participated in the Mass, which also exceeded expectations because it was expected that 300,000 persons would participate in the First Encounter of Croatian Catholic Families.
According to the Director of the Holy See Press Office, the Pope was especially impressed by the previous evening’s vigil with the young people, the atmosphere of prayer that prevailed on the main square and, in particular, was delighted by the silence during the Adoration. The Pope was also powerfully moved at the end of the Adoration when he saw young people who kneeled as the Popemobile passed. This has strengthened him in his mission, which he also confirmed at the beginning of today’s address prior to the hymn “Queen of Heaven, Rejoice” (Kraljice neba), when he told the faithful: “I have come here today to confirm you in faith… But at the same time you give me this same faith, enriched with your experience, your joys and sufferings. In a special way you give me your faith lived in the family, so that I may keep it in the patrimony of the whole Church.”
Speaking at the briefing on the central themes of the Pope’s visit, Fr. Lombardi said that all the themes at the vigil of the young believers and today’s Mass at the Hippodrome were focused on the family and family values. He noted that when the Pope was speaking with the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, he discussed educational topics and welcomed the recently signed Contract on Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools between the Croatian Conference of Bishops and the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The topic of Europe was very present in the Pope’s visit. Fr. Lombardi said that the Pope encouraged Croatia on the eve of its anticipated entry into the community of European nations. Croatia, as the Pope said in his address, can contribute with its culture to the building of this community of European nations.
In the Pope’s addresses, he also touched on the issues of values that do not always go in the positive direction that the Church thinks they should go. The Pope noted some negativity in this regard, primarily the secularization that attempts to marginalize religion but also the subjectivism according to which each individual determines values. The Pope considers these two phenomena to be very dangerous and totally incompatible with building unity.
In the Pope’s address at the encounter at the Croatian National Theater, he spoke about conscience, a topic to which he also returned in today’s homily at the Mass on the occasion of the National Day of Croatian Catholic Families. Fr. Lombardi sees a connection between these two addresses, particularly in the segment on the education of conscience, because it is in the family atmosphere that the consciences of the future generations and citizens of every society are educated. Fr. Lombardi found it meaningful that members of various family realities participated in the presentation of the gifts.
He praised the good organization and general atmosphere that prevailed during the Pope’s visit, which he assessed as very positive and hospitable, as, he said, is visible everywhere, from the welcome and vigil to today’s Mass. He particularly mentioned the warm welcome from the young people, their enthusiasm and devoted participation in last evening’s vigil, which he considers to be an indication of good work with the young. He also commended the extraordinary atmosphere of welcome and acceptance of what the Pope says, which he considers to be an indication that people accept the Pope’s messages and his words fall on fertile soil that has been carefully prepared.
Responding to a journalist’s question why this visit does not have ecumenical messages, as was the case during the first visit by Pope John Paul II to Croatia in 1994, Fr. Lombardi pointed out that the ecumenical segment was present and particularly highlighted during the Pope’s address at the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb. Moreover, this visit by the Pope differed in many ways from that of 1994, when great tensions and conflicts prevailed in this region, so it was necessary for Pope John II to speak very forcefully about peace and reconciliation. Fr. Lombardi believes that it is no longer necessary today to place such strong emphasis on ecumenical values and, due to the brevity of this visit, during its organization the decision was made that this ecumenical emphasis should be as it was.
The journalists were interested in the progress of the canonization of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac. Fr. Lombardi said that the procedure for the proclamation of his sainthood is following the regular course and when it is completed, the Blessed Stepinac will probably be declared a saint. Fr. Lombardi also noted that at the Second Vespers, the Pope would pray at the tomb of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac in the Zagreb cathedral.