Zagreb, (IKA) – Following a meeting with the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Ivo Josipović, Pope Benedict XVI went to the Nunciature at Ksaver, where he met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Jadranka Kosor.
The Prime Minister, who upon her arrival met with the Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, was welcomed by Cardinal Josip Bozanić and Apostolic Nuncio Mario Roberto Cassari.
After speaking with the Holy Father, Prime Minister Kosor presented him with a crucifix entitled Beginning/Principium, the work of the academic sculptor Prof. Damir Mataušić, and a replica of an eleventh-century evangelistary, the original of which is housed in the Metropolitan Library of the Croatian State Archives in Zagreb. This rare and valuable manuscript was probably present in Zagreb on the occasion of the establishment of the Diocese of Zagreb in approximately 1094. The text is written in Latin on parchment using Carolingian script.
The dimensions of the crucifix are 268 x 230 x 15 mm. It was fashioned in cast polished silver with gold appliqué. The leather case has an engraved plaque.
After the meeting with President Kosor, the Pope had lunch with his entourage at the Nunciature.