Frail but determined, Pope John Paul arrived in Croatia today to begin his landmark 100th pilgrimage.
The 83-year-old pontiff's plane landed at an Adriatic island airport where theCroatian president and top church leaders waited to greet him.
A high speed catamaran was on hand to take him across the bay to Rijekaharbour to greet pilgrims massing on the docks.
Earlier, as he boarded the Alitalia flight in Rome, John Paul had difficultywalking and had to be helped by aides onto a special lift he uses to get on andoff aircraft.
The Italian airline presented the Pope with a special cake in honour of his100th trip.
John Paul's five-day visit, which gets into full swing tomorrow with a visitto the war-battered southern coastal resort of Dubrovnik, will test anew hisability to overcome his advanced age, Parkinson's disease, hip and knee troublesand balmy summer weather.
The Pope did not hide his affection for the overwhelmingly Catholic country,offering Croats a blessing "with all my heart" on the eve of his departurefrom Rome and asking for their prayers.
They were quick to answer with deep appreciation for being chosen as the venuefor the historic trip.
"It shows how much the Holy Father cherishes Croatia, its church and itspeople," said Ivan Devcic, bishop of the Adriatic port city of Rijeka, whichwill serve as a base for the pope and his entourage.
About 80% of Croatia's 4.5 million people are Roman Catholics, and the Vaticanwas among the first to recognise the country's statehood in January 1992, sixmonths after it declared independence from Yugoslavia.
PA