"I'm not saying that, in trying to do something well and nobly, one doesn't go wrong, but I believe we are doing the right thing," Milanovic told reporters after attending the service in Zagreb's Cathedral, asked to comment on the sermon by the Archbishop of Zagreb.

Milanovic and President Ivo Josipovic, who attended Mass with their wives, joined in the messages of peace and friendship, wishing all the faithful a merry Christmas.

Josipovic called for unity and cooperation. "This is the day when we remember what we are. We remember kindness and the need to act and work together."

Milanovic wished a merry Christmas to all, not only those celebrating it, saying Christmas was a day of peace. "Merry Christmas to the Catholics, the Evangelicals, those reformed," he said, adding that these were days when people should be a little more together, as much as possible.