On the occasion of the election of a new pontiff of the Catholic Church, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic sent his congratulations to newly elected Pope Francis, the Press and Information Department of the President's Office reported on Thursday.
Your Holiness,
It is with great joy that I received news of your election as the 266th Roman bishop and pontiff of the Catholic Church. It is my honour to send you my sincere congratulations on your election.
Your predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI has remained in the hearts of Croatians as a lasting source of moral and spiritual encouragement and a permanent sign of hope for the future. I am convinced that during your papacy and on the trace of your predecessor, with your moral authority and spiritual strength you will continue to promote and protect human rights to reduce the difference between the poor and the rich, to end conflicts and wars in the world and to promote a better and more noble war.
Your ecumenical endeavours during your pastoral work in your homeland, advocacy for the respect of diverse religious traditions, strengthening inter-religious initiatives, dialogue and tolerance, encourage and give hope for the future to all Catholic believers in the world and all people of good will.
I look forward to meeting and working with you Holy Father in the aim of advancing bilateral relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See for the good of Croatian Catholic believers around the world and the Catholic Church in Croatia, President Josipovic's letter of congratulations to Pope Francis says.
