Serbian Leader Grateful for Pope's Message of Peace

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia, JUNE 23, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The president of the Republika Srpska said that John Paul II's weekend visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina was of «great importance» because of its message of peace and reconciliation.

«This is, perhaps, the strongest message of peace that is given to the world from this land,» President Dragan Cavic said, following the Pope's departure Sunday.

Over Vatican Radio, the president of the Serbian entity of Bosnia explained that the visit «is of great importance. In this country, after the years of war, there is an enormous need for strong messages of peace and, of course, these messages can come from leaders of the churches in Bosnia-Herzegovina.»

«The Serbian population, which lives in this region, has motives for frustration after the conflict we have lived through,» Cavic said. «I am sure that the Serbians, together with the Croats and Muslims, will know how to appreciate the significance of this visit.»

ZENIT Daily dispatch - The World Seen from Rome
23. juni 2003