Young Karolina from Zagreb asked the pope about faith and received an answer about war, reconciliation, and the need to purify memory, which could provoke reactions in the land of 'God and Croats'.
A young Croatian woman, Karolina from Zagreb, asked Pope Leo XIV how to remain a credible Christian, but instead of the expected compliment about a faithful Catholic people, she received an answer that could cause discomfort in Croatia. The meeting took place in Assisi, and the pope spoke about war, nationalism, and the need for reconciliation.
Karolina, who grew up in a Franciscan parish, highlighted simplicity, brotherhood, and a faith that does not remain confined to the church. Her question focused on authentic Christian living, but the pope's response veered in a direction that directly touches Croatian society and its close intertwining of religious and national identity.
Leo XIV replied that Karolina comes from a part of Europe that was marked by war thirty years ago. He stated that this period was characterized by a "dangerous intertwining of religious identity and nationalism." Instead of celebrating nationalist narratives, the pope emphasized that faithfulness to the Franciscan tradition requires a purification of memory and the cultivation of reconciliation.
His words implicitly call for confronting the darker sides of the Homeland War, including crimes committed against civilians, which is often a sensitive topic in Croatia. The pope also mentioned Orthodox Christians and Muslims, pointing to the need for interreligious dialogue and reconciliation in the region.
Although he did not directly mention Croatian state holidays, the pope's words could be interpreted as a comment on the way Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day is commemorated. The message that it is possible to celebrate solemnly while also acknowledging the crimes committed will certainly not be welcomed by all citizens in a country that often prides itself on its Catholicism and patriotism.
