A Croatian student has been arrested after posting ‘weird’ comments
about Pope Benedict XVI on Facebook ahead of the Papal visit to the
country this weekend.
The arrest was made in the southern village of Skabrnja and the
22-year-old, who lives with his father, was found with two guns and 300
rounds of ammunition, according to police reports.
Croatian police have not confirmed whether they believe they halted
an assassination attempt on the Holy Father, who is due to arrive in
Zagreb on Saturday.
Prior to the incident, Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said
that the Pope feels at home in Croatia, a country with deep Christian
and Catholic roots that has preserved with loyalty in difficult times.
“Today, Croatia faces the challenge of secularisation: the family and
youth are crucial challenges it has to deal with,” Fr Lombardi said.
“That’s why the central events of the Pope’s trip are his participation
in the meeting with Croatian Catholic Families, and with young people.”