Pope will come to Sarajevo as a ‘messenger of peace’

June 02, 2015

Four days before Pope Francis’s apostolic journey to Sarajevo, the Holy See Press Office has released a video message from the Pontiff to the Catholics of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“I come among you, with the help of God, to confirm the faith of the Catholic faithful, to support the ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, and above all to encourage peaceful coexistence in your State,” said the Pope, who added that he will arrive on June 6 as a “brother” and “messenger of peace.”

Serbian forces besieged Sarajevo during the Bosnian War (1992-95), which followed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia. Over 57,000 soldiers and 38,000 civilians perished in the war.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is now a nation of 3.9 million that is 40% Muslim, 31% Eastern Orthodox, and 12% Catholic.

 

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Further information:

• Video-messaggio di Papa Francesco alla vigilia del Viaggio Apostolico a Sarajevo (Bosnia ed Erzegovina), 02.06.2015 (Holy See Press Office)