The Memory of John Paul II’s Pilgrimages and Teachings in Croatia

Forms and Intensity of Social Resonance

Abstract

Croatia is considered a country where the memory of John Paul II remains particularly vivid and distinctive. This is undoubtedly linked to the fact that the Pope made three pilgrimages to the country and repeatedly emphasized his strong connection with it. The aim of this article is to examine the contemporary forms and intensity of this memory, 21 years after the Pope’s death and 23 years after his last pilgrimage to Croatia.

The research presented in this article is based on a survey conducted among residents of the Diocese of Zadar. The survey questions addressed four main areas: the dominant forms of memory of John Paul II’s pilgrimages and teachings among Croatians; the influence of the Pope’s legacy on respondents’ reli­giosity and moral attitudes, particularly in the context of family upbringing; material forms of commemoration, such as monuments, plaques, and street names; and, additionally, the role of the media and socio-religious organizations in preserving the memory of John Paul II.

The first part of the article presents the socio-ecclesial context of John Paul II’s pilgrimages to Croatia. The second part discusses the Pope’s teachings delivered during these pilgrimages, while the third part analyzes the results of the original research on the legacy of his visits to the country.