Zagreb (IKA) – Following a ceremonial welcome at the Pleso Airport in Zagreb, Pope Benedict XVI was taken to the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia on Pantovčak, were he was welcomed by the President of Croatia, Dr. Ivo Josipović. After a private conversation in the President’s office, the Holy Father and President of Croatia exchanged gifts and the family of the President was presented to the Pope.
President Josipović gave the Pope a replica of of the Principal C pipe from the oldest surviving organ in the northern part of Croatia, built in 1649 for the church of the Pauline monastery in Lepoglava.. The tin pipe was placed in a walnut case-stand engraved with the motif of Lepoglava bobbin lace and ornamented with gold. The replica was fashioned in the Heferer workshop.
The Pope presented President Josipović, as an “expert on music,” with a replica of a music codex from the Vatican Library.

After the introduction of the delegations of the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See, as well as the staff of the Office of the President, President Josipović escorted the Holy Father to the Apostolic Nunciature at Ksaver, where he met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Jadranka Kosor.