Pope Francis received Tihomir Orešković, President of Croatia in private audience at the Vatican. They discussed the good relations between the Holy See and Croatia, which is part of the European Union. They also discussed the relationship between the Catholic Church and civil communities as well as the refugees from the Middle East flooding into Europe.
The two men especially discussed the canonization of the former archbishop of Zagreb Alojzike Stepinac, who was beatified by John Paul II. Stepinac was closely allied to the ruthless Ustaše regime during World War II. Though he is credited with some efforts to help Jews and others escape what became Yugoslavia, the archbishop was involved with and supported the Ustaše leader Ante Pavelic who carried out the brutal forced conversation of Orthodox Serbs to the Catholic faith.
The president also extended an invitation for the pope to visit Croatia.
As is usually the case, the Croatian president subsequently met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, under-secretary for Relations with States.
Croatia wonders after… See Revelation 13:3