Among them were top Croatian politicians -- President Ivo Josipovic, Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor.

The pontiff was accompanied by Zagreb Archbishop Cardinal Josip Bozanic and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State of the Holy See,

Addressing this event, Zadar Archbishop Zelimir Puljic said that Croatia was receiving and welcoming the pope warmly and with joyful hearts.

"Your presence among us is God's blessing and a gift to the country and the people," Puljic said, adding that today's gathering was the most beautiful event in the history the HNK building in Zagreb.

"Encourage us to stride bravely along the paths of our lives and lead us to Jesus Christ," the archbishop said.

"With grateful hearts and in your presence, we would like to revive the religion of our fathers, which has been inherited since the seventh century," Puljic said.

Speaking on behalf of the lay members of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Professor Niko Zurak said the Croatian academic community, scientists, artists and other people from the cultural life were particularly joyful and grateful for this meeting with the Holy Father.

He said that Croatia was also proud of its artists, writers, scientists and scholars who left a mark in Croatia and abroad, notably those who have been active in Rome.

In this context, he mentioned Jesuit Rudjer Boskovic, who was a theologian, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, also sculptor Ivan Duknovic, painter Julije Klovic, philosopher and humanist Frano Petric, and physician Gjuro Baglivi.

After that, Pope Benedict XVI began his address at this meeting. His speech in Italian was translated translated by Mons. Juraj Kolaric.

At the end of this event, the pope personally meet 16 people from the Croatian public and religious life.