JOHN PAUL II RECALLS APOSTOLIC TRIP TO CROATIA

VATICAN CITY, JUN 11, 2003 (VIS) - During today's general audience celebrated in St. Peter's Square, John Paul II spoke about his recent apostolic trip to Croatia from June 5 to 9 which was his 100th trip outside of Italy since the beginning of his pontificate.

The Pope affirmed that on the first leg of the trip, he celebrated Mass in Dubrovnik and "beatified Sr. Marija of Jesus Crucified Petkovic, foundress of the Daughters of Mercy of the Third Regular Order of St. Francis. ... In light of this admirable figure, I directed a special message to Croatian women whom I urged to offer a spiritual and moral contribution to the Church and society."

The next day in Osijek, he continued, "I had the pleasure of presiding at the solemn conclusion of the second Synod and to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the ecclesiastic province of Zagreb. On that occasion, I reflected on sanctity as the vocation of every Christian," inviting "especially the lay faithful to evaluate fully the grace of Baptism and Confirmation. Only those who are inspired by a solid faith and generous love can be apostles of reconciliation and moral reconstruction where the wounds of a painful and difficult past remain open."

The Holy Father recalled that on Sunday, June 8, Solemnity of Pentecost, during the Eucharistic celebration he emphasized the "primary social value of the institution of the family, asking for privileged attention and concrete help that favor its foundation, development and stability."

"The last stop on my trip," he added, "was Zadar in Dalmatia" where "I celebrated the Sixth Hour on the Feast of Mary, Mother of the Church, ... a prolongation of the Solemnity of Pentecost (that) made us relive the atmosphere of the Cenacle."

John Paul II concluded by underscoring that during this trip he was also able to "express how much Christianity has contributed to the artistic and cultural development, but above all to the spiritual and moral development of Croatia and its people. And it is on this solid foundation that now, at the beginning of the third millennium, the dear Croatian nation will be able to continue to build up its unity and stability in order to integrate itself harmoniously into the consortium of European peoples."

AG;APOSTOLIC TRIP CROATIA;...;...;VIS;20030611;Word: 380;