Zagreb, May 16, 2003 (IKA) — The members of the expanded Church and Government committees for the forthcoming apostolic visit by Pope John Paul II to Croatia held a meeting on May 15 at the headquarters of the Government of the Republic of Croatia at which they spoke about the preparations for the Pope’s visit.
At the beginning of this meeting, those present were greeted by the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Giulio Einaudi, who said that the Holy See was pleased that the Pope is coming to Croatia and satisfied with what the Vatican delegation has seen regarding the preparations for this visit.
The president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, also expressed his satisfaction, and thanked all those involved in the preparations for the Holy Father’s visit. He noted that in addition to the religious and Church significance of the forthcoming Pontifical visit, it is also a significant event for Croatia and a in certain sense promotes our homeland in the world.
Representatives of individual dioceses, counties, cities, Government agencies and Church institutions presented reports on the progress in the preparations for the visit by the Holy Father, which are proceeding satisfactorily. Several open questions were mentioned and it was agreed to find suitable solutions in cooperation with the authorized institutions.
The vice president of the Government and host of the meeting, Dr. Goran Granić, expressed the hope that the dynamics thus far in the preparations for the Pope’s visit will continue at the same level and invited all the meeting participants to continue to work steadfastly on the organization of the visit by the Holy Father to make it as successful as possible, for the benefit of all the citizens of Croatia. Dr. Granić also appealed to all parties to avoid any politicization of the Holy Father’s visit to Croatia whatsoever.
The meeting was attended by representatives of all the dioceses that the Holy Father will visit, led by their bishops, national coordinators for Church and Government areas, county executives, mayors, ministers, the heads of the authorized services involved in the preparations for the visit by the Holy Father, Dr. Ivica Maštruko, assistant advisor for internal affairs of the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia, and Baltazar Jalšovec, Deputy Premier.