The Associated Press website reports that Pope Benedict XVI today (June 4, 2011) arrived in Croatia -- an independent nation and former province of Yugoslavia -- and gave strong backing to Croatia's bid to join the European Union (EU) soon.
In Zagreb -- the capital of Croatia -- the pontiff also expressed the Vatican's long-running concern that Europe needs to be reminded of its Christian roots.
Benedict is spending the weekend in Croatia -- which is 90 percent Catholic -- to mark the Croatian church's national family day, and to boost the country's efforts to finalize its EU accession negotiations.
Croatia -- which received its independence with the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 -- is expected to learn by next month if negotiations to join the 27-member EU bloc can be concluded, with membership expected in 2012 or 2013.
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