Pope John Paul II reflected on his June 5-9 trip to Croatia during his general audience with 13,000 people in St. Peter's Square on June 11. The Holy Father pointed out that this trip marked his 100th apostolic trip.
“I give heartfelt thanks to the Lord, who has opened before me the roads of the world and of its nations 100 times so that I might be a witness to him,” he said.
The Holy Father touched upon the various highlights of his trip. The beatification of Sister Maria Petkovic, founder of the Daughters of Mercy, on June 6 provided him with the opportunity to address a special message to the women of Croatia, encouraging them to make their spiritual and moral contribution to the Church and to society.
During his Mass at Osijek the following day, he reflected on the call of every Christian to holiness. “Only those who are motivated by a strong faith and a generous love can be apostles of reconciliation and moral reconstruction where the wounds of a painful and difficult past remain open,” he said.
On Pentecost Sunday, he prayed for a renewed outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the Christian families of Croatia and of the world and gave special emphasis to the role of the family in today's world.
“It seemed useful to me to confirm the primary social value of the institution of the family by urgently requesting that special attention be given and concrete steps be taken to promote its establishment, development and stability” he recalled.
The Holy Father concluded by assuring the people of Croatia that they would always have a special place in his heart and in his prayers.