Hvar, (IKA) – Bishop Slobodan Štambuk of Hvar-Brač-Vis issued a message regarding the forthcoming visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia, in which he urges the faithful of his diocese to pray and attend the encounters with the Pope. “Let us come to meet the Pope with open hearts and joyful spirits; proud, dignified and eager to hear his words of inspiration,” said the bishop, emphasizing that the Pope is coming to us to pray and to share joy with us. “The Pope is coming to be with us as a pilgrim, to our holy places. He is coming to visit the tomb of our glorious and Blessed Cardinal Stepinac. He is coming to pray for our families, encourage our families, inspire our families and call attention to the values that every (Catholic) family should foster, be well acquainted with and implement. He is coming in the desire to see our young people, to greet our older people, to become closely acquainted with those who are responsible for our sociopolitical situation,” said the bishop.