Dakovo, (IKA) — Until now over 100,000 pilgrims have signed-up to attend the Mass to be celebrated by the Pope in Osijek, as well as more than 600 buses, 2,000 personal automobiles, 30,000 pilgrims from Osijek and more than 17,000 pilgrims arriving by boat, announced Bishop Duro Hranic at a press conference held on Friday, May 30, at the bishop’s residence in Dakovo, at which the organizers of the exhibitions to be held in the local museums and galleries on the occasion of the visit by Pope John Paul II to the Dakovo and Srijem Diocese also participated.
At the beginning of the press conference, those assembled were greeted by Prof. Nikola Dogan, Ph.D., the head of the Subcommittee for the Cultural Commemoration of the Pope’s Visit and Public Relations. “With a wealth of varied cultural exhibitions, we have given this period of preparation the imprint a powerful cultural event. In addition to the spiritual imprint evident throughout the diocese, this cultural imprint is also present and remains as a historical event in the preparations for the Pope’s visit.”
Those present were then addressed by Bishop Marin Srakic of Dakovo and Srijem: “In the preparations for the arrival of the Holy Father, we have placed our primary emphasis on the spiritual, liturgical preparation but also upon the many dimensions of our national, religious entity that should not be neglected. Our cultural heritage is marked by our faith as Catholics. We took this opportunity to take the cultural treasures of previous generations out of storage. Many were surprised by how many treasures have. We have passed through a period of great destruction during which some museums have been destroyed. The Croatian nation does not want to be reconciled with this but seeks not only to renew the body but also the spirit. Our cultural heritage belongs to the incarnation of our spirit,” said Bishop Srakic. Speaking further about the exhibitions, Bishop Srakic emphasized that this was one of the bishops’ most successful ideas and projects in the preparations for the arrival of the Holy Father.
Bishop Hranic reported that a sufficient number of tickets have been printed so that all those who still have not signed up to attend the Mass with the Holy Father can obtain tickets from their parish rectories. Furthermore, tickets will also be available on site prior to the Mass, according Bishop Hranic.