Speaking in perfect Spanish, the new ambassador from Croatia to the Holy See presented his credentials to Pope Francis.
'I am very happy and honored to present my letters of credentials, accrediting me as Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to His Holiness.â?
'Thank you very much.â?
The meeting was carried out in Spanish. The ambassador explained that he likes the language and speaks it often. He is also fluent in Italian, French, English, and German.
Afterward, the ambassador introduced the Pope to his wife and two daughters.
When they exchanged gifts, Pope Francis received some cufflinks. The diplomat explained what their design meant.
'They came from the Protochristian church, the church of the 9th and 10th centuries. They are carved in rock and are made of steel. This is how one remembers Croatia.â?
The second gift was this, a box containing bottles of olive oil.
Pope Francis gave him a copy of Evangelii Gaudium and his encyclical, 'Laudato Si.â? He asked the ambassador to pray for him. The Pope received a diplomatic response.
'From the moment you asked from the balcony, it is so.â?
Croatia has a population of four and a half million. More than 80 percent of them identify as Catholic.
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