Pope Aims to Bolster Family in Croatia

(June 02, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI will focus on the family during his two day visit to Croatia on Saturday and Sunday, June 4^th and 5^th. On Sunday, the Pope will preside over the Day of Croatian Families. The event is expected to draw over 300,000 to a racetrack venue in the capital city of Zagreb. "Today, Croatia faces the challenge of secularization: the family and youth are crucial challenges it has to deal with. That's why the central events of the Pope's trip are his participation in the meeting with Croatian Catholic Families, and with young people," Vatican spokesman and Director of Vatican Radio, Father Federico Lombardi said. "The Church relies on Christ to support the unity and mission of the family and to fuel hope for the future of young people. This is how it serves the human community in general, and the national community of Croatia," said Fr. Lombardi. On Sunday afternoon, the Pope will pray at the tomb of Blessed Aloysius Stepinac in Zagreb Cathedral. He was the Croatian cardinal who was jailed and killed by communist authorities in the mid-20th century. Here the Pope will be joined in prayer by Croatian seminarians. After the welcome ceremony at Zagreb Airport on Saturday, the Pope will meet various representatives of civil society at the Croatian National Theatre. This will include politicians, business people and leaders of other religions. He'll then join over 50,000 young people in Zagreb's central square to pray the Rosary. The Pope will present the Blessed Virgin Mary with a gold rosary before presiding over benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The motto of the 33-hour visit is "Together in Christ." Of the four-and-a-half million inhabitants in Croatia, 89% are Catholic.