Pope says spiritual renewal is vital as Bosnia-Herzegovina rebuilds

Published: 2003-12-04

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II told Bosnian Catholics that spiritual renewal will count more than democratic reforms as the country rebuilds in the postwar and post-communist period. The pope met Dec. 4 at the Vatican with members of the committee that prepared his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina last June. The pontiff recalled that the one-day trip was highlighted by the beatification of Blessed Ivan Merz, a figure the church hopes will help motivate young Bosnian Catholics to put their faith into action. After decades of communist rule and a deadly ethnic war, living one's faith is key to solving social and political problems that remain in the East European country, the pope said.

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