Cardinal Puljic says Pope’s brief visit to Croatia will bring joy

(June 01, 2011) Cardinal Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina said that Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the Croatian capital of Zagreb this weekend will bring a little joy to its neighbouring countries. Speaking on Croatian Catholic Radio and Radio MIR Medjugorje, Cardinal Puljic said the Pope's two-day trip June 4-5, will be a meaningful message for the Croatian nation and also for the neighbouring countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina," reported Croatia's IKA Catholic news agency. The highlight of the Pope’s two day visit to Croatia , the theme of which is “Together with Christ” - will be the celebration of Mass on Sunday for the National Day of Croatian Catholic Families. Cardinal Puljic said "I am happy that Pope Benedict is coming to Croatia for the first time in his office as Pontiff. In a special way, I am happy about the theme of the celebration of Family Day, which he is coming to celebrate.
Cardinal Puljic noted that numerous pilgrims from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina have already registered and obtained tickets for the youth prayer vigil on Saturday at Zagreb's main square, and the celebration of the Mass on Sunday at the Zagreb Hippodrome. Many parishes are organizing bus transportation, he added. Cardinal Puljic urged the media in its electronic coverage or in the press, to make this powerful event present to all the families so that it will bring about a renewal of faith, and in some way heal public opinion, which is quite sick of negativity. We need something that will bring joy, said Cardinal Puljic