Pope Francis in Sarajevo

Holy Father Francis visited Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, 6. June 2015. His apostolic visitation took place under the slogan "Peace be with you". And it was truly an event of peace.

He delivered a sermon at the mass celebration in front of a large number of believers at the Koševo stadium in Sarajevo.

Sarajevo and entire Bosnia and Herzegovina had an air of friendship, community and general peace surrounding them.

Honorary president Franjo Topić and Vanja Gavran, president of the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina published a report on the visit under the title:

Pope Francis brought joy to B&H

Everybody rejoiced over Pope's arrivals, Catholics, Muslims and orthodox Christians along with all the other good-intended people. Bosnia and Herzegovina has demonstrated a wealth of diversity like never before since the war ended. Organization of this visit demonstrated that everybody in Bosnia and Herzegovina can work together to achieve a common good goal. This is why Pope's visit can encourage everyone to leave all the fights and confrontations behind and build a happier society and more stable Bosnia and Herzegovina custom tailored for all of its nations and citizens.

All speeches of Pope Francis, those directed to politicians and religious communities' leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the homily during the Mass at the Kosevo stadium, which gathered 70,000 people, were focused on peace, not only peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina but in the entire world. Pope stated that the peace takes work and effort, and that just talk about necessity of peace is not enough. He reiterated the words: "War never again".

Pope Francis came, of course, to encourage Catholics and B&H Church with a clear message that they should stay here and that everybody should work on survival and prosperity of Church in B&H. One should not complain, but work. He repeated several times to Catholics and everybody else that he came to support ecumenism and dialogue, and he specially emphasized that thought again during the meeting with religious leaders.

He understands that it is not a simple process, but he stated that things in B&H "were going well". But he came to extend his support to entire Bosnia and Herzegovina, which suffered a lot through 20th century. With this he wants to send a message to the International Community as well, as he stated in the European Parliament, that they should not forget borderline countries and that they should put Bosnia and Herzegovina at the center of their efforts.

It also needs to be said that the Pope gave a lot of attention to ordinary people. Some would say that it was nothing unusual, but Pope demonstrates once again that people are the true value and that the human being needs to be at the center of all efforts. He often greeted people of Sarajevo outside of protocols and he even stayed in Sarajevo an hour longer than it was planned. Citizens of all confessions displayed hospitality and joy for the dear guest.

More than a 1,000 media houses from the entire world followed the Pope's visit to Sarajevo and for a day, Sarajevo was a center of the world. It is particularly important to say that very nice, joyful and positive news were sent out. Many had different fears, but the visit happened without a single incident with 70,000 satisfied pilgrims and great atmosphere in the city and the media.

Participating in the Holy Mass celebrations together with the Pope were the Vice-President of the International Paneuropean Union and Honorary President of Croatian Paneuropean Union Mislav Jezic, Secretary General of Paneuropean Union and President of Croatian Paneuropean Union PhD Pavo Barisic, Member of Presidency of Paneuropean Union and Honorary President of Paneuropean Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina Msgr. PhD Franjo Topic, President of Paneuropean Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina Vanja Gavran as well as other members of Paneuropean organizations. Prof. Topic and Mr. Gavran participated in part in organizing Pope's visit.

Miracles rarely happen, but we believe that Pope's messages will bear good fruits and that politicians, religious leaders and all people will realize that through good will and good intentions we can build peaceful and happier Bosnia and Herzegovina and in doing that, give an important contribution for entire Europe.

PhD Franjo Topić
Vanja Gavran