Chairwoman Krišto in audience with Pope Francisco

Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Borjana Krišto is in official visit to the Holy See in Vatican. She started her visit by an audience with Holy Father Pope Francisco. 

Chairwoman Krišto said she was bestowed by the Holy Father receiving her and her delegation in the Great Week, when Pope Francisco holds catholic rites on the eve of the most important Christian festival – Easter. She also said she was honoured to have an opportunity for the audience, and she congratulated the tenth anniversary of Pontificate to Pope Francisco.

The Chairwoman pointed out that Pope Francisco by his work, incentives and guests encourages the spirit of togetherness and brotherly love, important to all religious and ethnic communities in BIH.

Chairwoman Krišto mentioned Pope’s visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2015, when Pope Francesco stressed how important are tolerance, dialogue and cooperation among different ethnic groups and confessions, all for the purpose of general good. Rightly in such atmosphere Chairwoman Krišto expressed her confidence that the engagement of the Holy See would continue in future to contribute to reconciliation, dialogue and mutual confidence in the region, including its support to the European integrations of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Pope Francisco said tolerance, mutual understanding and cooperation are at the ground of each society for peaceful life, co-existence and stability - these values are common for all people.

The Chairwoman said the new Council of Ministers has already made significant breakthroughs and will continue to take effort in the time to come to continue relevant progress on its road to the European Union, such as fulfilment of 14 key priorities form the European Commission Opinion is.

The integration of BIH to the EU is our strategic and priority aim, Krišto stressed and added that BIH remains undoubtedly committed for further improvement of political dialogue, good neighbourly relations, for the sake of peaceful co-existence, stability and economic prosperity for the benefit all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Chairwoman stressed, as well, that support by the Holy See on the European Rad of BIH is of a key importance. Krišto briefed the Holy Father on efforts, offered solutions and readiness to engage into a constructive dialogue and compromise, with a full respect of multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina, so that solutions would be possible to find and needed limited Constitution reform  and Election Law amendment implemented.

Chairwoman Kršto presented a gift to Pope Francisco - a “Mother” Sculpture, by academic sculptor Stjepan Skok, representing a memory to all mothers, widows from all wars. It symbolises preservation against pain, sacrifice for her children, continuity and hope. Krišto invited the Holy Father to an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, namely to Mostar and Herzegovina, for his words, spirit and messages to support the spirit of unity and peace. (end)