Vatican, June 4, 2003 (IKA) – “ It is with great hope that I am preparing to make my third trip to Croatia tomorrow, a country characterized by the testimony of fearless witnesses to the Gospel,” said Pope John Paul II in his address to the faithful at the conclusion of the general audience at the Vatican on June 4.
The Pope said that the goal of his visit to Croatia is “to strengthen the brothers and sisters of the Catholic communities in their faith, who remained faithful to Christ during a time of religious persecution and fearlessly confront the challenges of the present in order to continue to bear witness with courage.”
“In these thirteen years since the re-establishment of independence of Croatia, they have reinforced the Church structures and are now devoting themselves to more penetrating evangelical activity,” added the Holy Father.
“Dear brothers and sisters,” said the Pope in conclusion, “I ask you to accompany me with your prayers. I entrust my hundredth apostolic voyage to the Holy Virgin, who is so greatly venerated in Croatia, so that she will follow my steps and pray for the Croatian nation to experience a new spring in faith and civil progress.”