Archbishop Gallagher visits Croatia – Vatican News
The Vatican Secretary for Relations with States is in Croatia for the feast of Our Lady of the Stone Gate. He is also scheduled to meet state authorities and give a lecture at the Croatian Catholic University.
By Vatican News
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, began a three-day visit to Croatia on Thursday, May 30.
He was invited by Archbishop Dražen Kutleša of Zagreb to the feast of Our Lady of the Stone Gate, patroness of the Croatian capital.
Itinerary
In accordance with his program, Archbishop Gallagher will meet with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić-Radman.
He will also attend the inauguration of the Croatian Catholic University Library, where he will give a lecture.
Finally, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States will celebrate the Eucharist in Zagreb Cathedral for the feast of Our Lady of Peter's Gate, in the presence of Croatian bishops.
Mass for Statehood Day
On May 28, Archbishop Gallagher presided over a mass to mark Croatian Statehood Day at St. Jerome Church in Rome.
During the celebration, he stressed that relations between the country and the Holy See “have never weakened, despite numerous conflicts throughout history.”
In his homily, the prelate invited the faithful to pray for all nations affected by wars and conflicts and thanked God for “the gift of freedom and peace” in Croatia.
