For now, what can the Holy Father, his visit and messages change in Bosnia? Can moral authority change anything in a country where morality had been so brutally violated, where the world touched the very bottom of cynicism and injustice, and where the evil of inaction was almost equal to the crime of action?
John Paul II did what he could; he addressed Bosnian politicians, Bosnian people and the world public. It is hard to differentiate between spiritual, moral and political in this extremely complex country, but the Pope gave unequivocal political support to the state of Bosnia-Hercegovina. This is obvious from the complete scenario of the visit, motivation and concrete messages in which the Pope put emphasis on Bosnia-Hercegovina. All speculations regarding the object of his visit were removed by his first words: "Respected members of the Bosnian presidency, representatives of the governments [of two entities]..."
This is the confirmation of the consistent support which the Holy Father gave to Bosnia several times in the critical moments during the aggression. This visit is taking place at the time when the doubts in the possibility of survival of Bosnia are very pronounced. The Pope's support for coexistence and Bosnia can strengthen the faith and efforts of pro-Bosnian forces and push back their opponents. It is certain that Vatican will also act politically in that direction.
The Pope's visit demonstrated what can be done when the evil spirit is under control. Roads were passable, people could freely move about and live together. These days, Bosnia lived as one. How long will this atmosphere last after the departure of his Holiness? Will we heed his message and allow the liberating force of forgiveness to replace the urge for vengeance? No one can put into people something which already isn't there. One can only give impetus to those things blocked inside people and that impetus can lead to their actualization and realization.
The essence of the traditional spirit has been preserved in the Bosnian people. In spite of everything, the idea of centuries old coexistence has survived on this soil and in its people. The Pope addressed that spirit and those people. Now, everything depends on them and the dominant policy which had been marked by evil. If the Pope's messages are heeded, Bosnia can become a "beacon for all of Europe".
Translated on 8/5/97