VATICAN CITY, APRIL 11, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican confirmed officially that John Paul II will visit Croatia for the third time, June 5-9.
Joaquín Navarro-Valls, director of the Vatican press office, said today that the "Holy Father John Paul II will make an apostolic trip to Croatia from June 5 to 9, and will visit the cities of Rijeka, Dubrovnik, Osijek and Djakovo, and Zadar."
During his trip the Pope is expected to beatify religious Mary of Jesus Crucified Petkovic (1892-1966), founder of the Congregation of Daughters of Mercy.
Croatia, independent since 1991, has close to 5 million inhabitants, about 80% of them Catholic.
The Pope visited Croatia in 1994 and 1998.
Larry Cirignano
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