Croatians gave a fatigued Pope John Paul a boistrous send-off today as he ended a five-day trip that tested the his stamina and plans for more travels.
Tens of thousands of people packed the old port area of the central coastal city of Zadar, jamming bridges and causeways to get a glimpse of the Pope (83) as he presided at a prayer service at the end of the visit.
Thousands waved flags, shouted the pope's name and chanted, "We belong to the pope, the pope is ours". A white apartment block was adorned with big yellow banners to create a large replica of the Vatican flag.
"Special thanks to you, beloved Croatian people, who greeted me with open arms and hearts," the Pope, seated on a stage under an awning shaped like a ship's sail, told the cheering crowd.
Many Croats, 90 per cent of whom call themselves Catholic, said they felt proud the pope chose to visit their country for the third time on his 100th overseas trip. As Slav Catholics, they have a particular affinity with the Polish pontiff.
Despite a heat wave and his fatigue on the last day, the pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, arthritis and hip problems, held up well overall during the trip.
He was also given a boost by a weekend referendum in his native Poland in favour of joining the European Union. The pontiff had backed the "Yes" campaign.
"The Holy Father hopes that Poland's decision in the referendum will help Poland as well as the European Community, where Poland can make a contribution with its moral and spiritual values and its religious convictions," a Vatican spokesman said.
During his visit, the Pope also spoke in favour of Croatia's bid to join the EU. The former Yugoslav republic, which looks set to be the only European Catholic country outside the EU after the bloc expands next year, hopes to join in 2007.