VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE   
   YEAR XXII - # 105   
   DATE 06-06-2015   
      
   Summary:   
   - The Pope arrives in Sarajevo: heal the wounds of the past and look to the   
   future with hope   
   - Mass in Kosevo stadium: "Be artisans of peace"   
   - Decrees for the Causes of Saints   
   - Audiences   
   - Other Pontifical Acts   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    The Pope arrives in Sarajevo: heal the wounds of the past and look to the   
   future with hope   
    Vatican City, 6 June 2015 (VIS) - Pope Francis arrived shortly after 9 a.m. in   
   Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the destination of his eighth   
   apostolic trip. The central theme of the Holy See's concern for   
   Bosnia-Herzegovina - visited twice by St. John Paul II - is peace, and this is   
   perpetuated in the theme chosen for Pope Francis' visit: "Peace be with you".   
    The Pontiff, who left Rome at 7.30 a.m., was received at the international   
   airport of Sarajevo by President Dragan Crovic, the Croat member of the   
   tripartite (Serb, Croat and Bosnian) Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, by the   
   president of the Episcopal Conference and cardinal archbishop of Sarajevo,   
   Vinko   
   Puljic, and by Archbishop Luigi Pezzuto, apostolic nuncio. From their he   
   transferred by car to the presidential palace for the welcome ceremony and   
   courtesy visit to the members of the Presidency: acting president Mladen   
   Ivanic,   
   the Croatian member Dragan Covic and the Bosnian member Bakir Izetbegovic.   
    Following the courtesy visit, Francis entered the presidential drawing room   
   where he pronounced his first discourse in Sarajevo, before the civil   
   authorities, the diplomatic corps, the bishops and various other religious   
   leaders.   
    "I am pleased to be in this city which, although it has suffered so much in   
   the   
   bloody conflicts of the past century, has once again become a place of dialogue   
   and peaceful coexistence", said the Pope. "Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina   
   have a special significance for Europe and for the whole world. Bosnia and   
   Herzegovina has advanced from a culture of conflict and war to a culture of   
   encounter.   
    "For centuries in these lands, communities were present who professed   
   different   
   religions, who belonged to distinct ethnic and cultural groups, each endowed   
   with its own rich characteristics; each fostered its own traditions, without   
   these differences having impeded for any length of time the establishment of   
   mutually fraternal and cordial relationships", he continued. "The very   
   architecture and layout of Sarajevo reveal visible and substantial   
   characteristics of these different communities, each a short distance from the   
   other - synagogues, churches and mosques - so much so that Sarajevo has been   
   called the 'Jerusalem of Europe'. Indeed it represents a crossroads of   
   cultures,   
   nations and religions, a status which requires the building of new bridges,   
   while maintaining and restoring older ones, thus ensuring avenues of   
   communication that are efficient, sure and fraternal.   
    "We need to communicate with each other, to discover the gifts of each person,   
   to promote that which unites us, and to regard our differences as an   
   opportunity   
   to grow in mutual respect", he remarked. "Patience and trust are called for in   
   such dialogue, permitting individuals, families and communities to hand on the   
   values of their own culture and welcome the good which comes from others'   
   experiences. In so doing, even the deep wounds of the recent past will be set   
   aside, so that the future may be looked to with hope, facing the daily problems   
   that all communities experience with hearts and minds free of fear and   
   resentment.   
    "I have come here as a pilgrim of peace and dialogue, eighteen years after St.   
   John Paul II's historic visit, which took place less than two years after the   
   signing of the Dayton Peace Accord. I am happy to see the progress which has   
   been made, for which we must thank the Lord and so many men and women of good   
   will. However, we should not become complacent with what has been achieved so   
   far, but rather seek to make further efforts towards reinforcing trust and   
   creating opportunities for growth in mutual knowledge and respect. In order to   
   favour this path, the solidarity and collaboration of the International   
   Community is fundamental, in particular that of the European Union and of all   
   Countries and Organisations operating in the territory of Bosnia and   
   Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina is indeed an integral part of Europe, the   
   successes and tragic experiences of the former are integrated fully into the   
   latter's history of successes and tragedies. They constitute, too, a clear call   
   to pursue every avenue of peace, in order that processes already underway can   
   be   
   yet more resilient and binding.   
    "In this land, peace and harmony among Croats, Serbs and Bosnians, and the   
   initiatives taken to extend these even further, as well as the cordial and   
   fraternal relations among Muslims, Hebrews and Christians, and other religious   
   minorities, take on an importance that goes beyond its boundaries. These   
   initiatives offer a witness to the entire world that such cooperation among   
   varying ethnic groups and religions in view of the common good is possible;   
   that   
   a plurality of cultures and traditions can coexist and give rise to original   
   and   
   effective solutions to problems; that even the deepest wounds can be healed by   
   purifying memories and firmly anchoring hopes in the future. I saw at my   
   arrival   
   this morning in the Muslim, Orthodox, Jewish, Catholic and children of other   
   religions whom I met at the airport - together and joyful! This is a sign of   
   hope! May we stake our future on this.   
    "In order to successfully oppose the barbarity of those who would make of   
   every   
   difference the occasion and pretext for further unspeakable violence, we need   
   to   
   recognise the fundamental values of human communities, values in the name of   
   which we can and must cooperate, build and dialogue, pardon and grow; this will   
   allow different voices to unite in creating a melody of sublime nobility and   
   beauty, instead of the fanatical cries of hatred.   
    "Responsible politicians are called to the important task of being the first   
   servants of their communities, taking actions which safeguard above all the   
   fundamental rights of the human person, among which the right to religious   
   freedom stands out. In this way it will be possible to build, with concrete   
   measures, a more peaceful and just society, working step-by-step together to   
   solve the many problems which people experience daily. In order for this to   
   come   
   about, it is vital that all citizens be equal both before the law and its   
   implementation, whatever their ethnic, religious or geographical affiliation.   
   All alike will then feel truly involved in public life. Enjoying the same   
   rights, they will be able to make their specific contribution to the common   
   good.   
    "The Catholic Church, by means of the prayer and the works of her faithful and   
   her institutions, is taking an part in the process of material and moral   
   reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina, sharing the country's joys and   
   concerns. The Church is committed to offering her particular solicitude and   
   closeness to the poor and to those most in need, inspired by the teaching and   
   example of her Divine Master, Jesus. The Holy See praises the work carried out   
   in these recent years, and is determined to continue promoting cooperation,   
   dialogue and solidarity, in the sure knowledge that peace and mutual listening   
   in an ordered and civil society are indispensable conditions for authentic and   
   lasting development. Through the contribution of all, and leaving behind   
   completely the dark clouds of storms gone by, the Holy See fervently hopes that   
   Bosnia and Herzegovina may continue along the journey embarked upon, so that   
   after the winter chill, springtime may come to blossom. And already we see   
   spring blooming here!" exclaimed the Pope.   
    "With these thoughts I implore the Almighty for peace and prosperity in   
   Sarajevo and all of Bosnia and Herzegovina", he concluded.   
      
   ___________________________________________________________   
      
    Mass in Kosevo stadium: "Be artisans of peace"   
    Vatican City, 6 June 2015 (VIS) - Following his address to the authorities of   
   Bosnia-Herzegovina, Pope Francis travelled by car to the Kosevo stadium, where   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)