Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the invitation from the Croatian state leadership and the Church in Croatia and will most probably visit Croatia in the first half of 2011 on the occasion of National Family Day, President Ivo Josipovic said on Friday.
The Pope has accepted the invitation in a letter, Josipovic said after a meeting with the Archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Bozanic, and the president of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, Monsignor Marin Srakic.
"This is a big event for Croatia," Josipovic said, adding that he was glad to be able to announce this news.
He recalled that after visiting the Pope last month, he said Croatia had the Vatican's support, not only for its prospective accession to the European Union, but also for the reforms in Croatia and its regional policy of reconciliation and cooperation.
"That's why I think the Holy Father's visit will give us all additional impetus to carry on with reforms and a clear message to Europe that Croatia is indeed a European country," Josipovic said, adding that a state commission would be formed, comprising representatives of his office, the government, and the Catholic Church in Croatia.
Cardinal Bozanic recalled that the Pope was invited to visit Croatia by the Catholic Church in Croatia, Josipovic and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, adding that the visit was likely to take place on a weekend in the first half of next year.
