Split, (IKA) – On Thursday, May 26, Archbishop Marin Barišić of Split-Makarska issued a statement to the Catholic Press Agency – IKA regarding the forthcoming visit by Pope Benedict XVI, in which he emphasizes the importance of this visit to the Croatian nation.

“The first visit by Pope Benedict XVI to our country is a joyful occasion that enriches our Church and entire society. We are pleased to be contemporaries of such historical events, which are significant for our present and open a better future for us. We are going to be visited by the successor of Peter, the Vicar of Christ, the moral pillar of our age, a person who moves men and the world,” said Msgr. Barišić in his statement.
Archbishop Barišić further emphasized that the Holy Father values human intellect and its insights that are directed toward the development of humanity, i.e., toward man’s surpassing himself. “His voice will also be heard outside of Croatia and will cross the borders of Europe. We should like, above all, for us in Croatia to hear and understand him correctly and for him to provide encouragement for building our future and society upon fundamental and moral-spiritual values. Without that, there is no economic advancement,” emphasized Archbishop Barišić, adding that this is the only correct way to have an intact and solid family. In this light, he recalled that the Holy Father is coming to the First National Encounter of Croatian Catholic Families in order to encourage Croatian families during this difficult time of crisis and send them a prophetic message, a message of faith and hope. The Archbishop of Split-Makarska urged all people, believers and nonbelievers, to respond with open hearts to these encounters, for which tickets will be free of charge, and expressed the hope that there will be as few people as possible who are only concerned with how much everything would cost.
“The Holy Father is coming to visit us. Let us go to meet him,” said the Archbishop. He then addressed the Pope directly: “Holy Father, welcome to our Zagreb. Encourage all our families and make our Croatia one family.”
It is anticipated that approximately 15,000 of the faithful from the Archdiocese of Split-Makarska will be coming to Zagreb to see the Pope on June 4 and 5.