Franciscan from Metković Poses with Tricolor and T-Shirt
A photo of Fra Ivo Rastočić was shared on social media amid Thompson's concerts and ahead of Victory Day celebrations.
A photo of Fra Ivo Rastočić was shared on social media amid Thompson's concerts and ahead of Victory Day celebrations.
A photograph of Fra Ivo Rastočić, a Franciscan of the Franciscan Province of the Most Holy Redeemer, originally from Metković, has drawn significant attention on social media. The Dalmatian friar posed with the Croatian tricolor bearing the words "JESUS CHRIST" in large black letters, and wore a T-shirt featuring the image of "Anica, Queen of Knin," as reported by DalmacijaDanas.
On the white T-shirt worn by Fra Ivo, there is a female figure in a dress adorned with the red-and-white Croatian chequerboard pattern. Above the figure, the word "FOR" is written, and below it, "LOVE." This is a visual play inspired by the famous lyrics from Marko Perković Thompson's song "Anica - Queen of Knin."
Fra Ivo holds the flag with the inscription "JESUS CHRIST" in his hands, with the word "JESUS" on the left side of the coat of arms and "CHRIST" on the right. The photo was published on August 5, 2026, at a time when Marko Perković Thompson's major concerts are echoing across Dalmatia.
Marko Perković Thompson performed the day before, on August 4, 2026, at the Šubićevac Stadium in Šibenik. He is soon to perform in Imotski as part of the celebrations marking the anniversary of Operation Storm, Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, and the Day of Croatian Defenders.
Fra Ivo Rastočić hails from Metković and earned his degree in theology from the Catholic Faculty of Theology at the University of Split. He celebrated his first Mass in 2020 at the shrine of St. Anthony of Padua in Dubravica.
In his priestly work, he has served as a monastery and parish vicar, and has also been a spiritual assistant to the Franciscan Youth. He is often active on social media, where he shares content about faith, youth, and love for Croatia.
