Pope John Paul II paid a visit to Sarajevo on 12th and 13th April 1997. It was his first visit to BiH. He should came to BiH in 1994, but due to war horrors, nobody could guarantee his safety
Arrival of the Pope to Sarajevo gave a great hope for the torn and devastated country. Upon leaving the plane, Pope kissed the BH ground and called for a permanent commitment for peace, and after that attended a Mass in Sarajevo cathedral.
At the Sarajevo Airport, Pope has been welcomed by the former president of the Presidency of BiH, Alija Izetbegovic, with the highest state delegations of BiH.
A day after, in front of 50.000 attendees at the stadium Kosevo, Pope led the Eucharist celebration. He called for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation, adding that the important precondition of the reconciliation is the truth and justice.
In his speeches, Pope John Paul II mentioned BiH even 263 times, which is not the case with any other country in the world.
In 2014, a monument for Pope John Paul II has been built in front of the Sarajevo cathedral.
ST
