POPE MEETS RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL LEADERS, VISITS CATHEDRAL

VATICAN CITY, JUN 22, 2003 (VIS) - At 5:30 this afternoon, in the bishop's residence of Banja Luka, the Holy Father met privately with both President Dragan Cavic of the Serb Republic and President Niko Lozancic of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Following these talks the Pope met with the Inter-religious Council of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a council composed of the Orthodox metropolitan of Sarajevo, the Catholic archbishop of Sarajevo, the leader of the Muslim community in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the president of the Hebrew community of Bosnia-Herzegovina. On a rotating basis, one of the four members assumes the council presidency for a year. The Jewish leader is president for 2003.

At 6:30 p.m. Pope John Paul paid a private visit to Banja Luka's cathedral, located within the gardens of the bishop's residence. Named for St. Bonaventure, patron of Banja Luka, the old cathedral was totally destroyed by an earthquake in 1969 and the new church was built four years later. The Pope was greeted by about 60 people, including the College of Consultors, the Presbyteral Council, representatives of religious communities, seminarians and a number of young people.

Following this visit, the Holy Father went to the airport where he took leave of the people and the civil and religious leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina. His return flight landed in Rome's Ciampino Airport shortly after 9 p.m.

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