Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Zoran Milanovic said on Wednesday that none of the members of his party had ever said that he would not attend a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, scheduled to take place in Zagreb on Saturday, stressing that he would gladly come to the reception.
"Neither I nor any of my associates have ever commented on this subject and it has never been said that I will not attend the gathering in the Croatian National Theatre (HNK)," Milanovic told a press conference at SDP headquarters in Zagreb.
"I deeply respect the Pope, but unfortunately I deeply disrespect those who are constantly politicizing his visit," Milanovic said.
When asked where the information had come from that he would not be coming to the HNK, Milanovic said he was confident that the Church had nothing to do with it, alluding that the ruling Croatian Democratic Union was responsible. "I received a circular invitation several weeks ago and that's it," he added.
Commenting on the news that the SDP leader would not attend the meeting with the Holy Father, to which all prominent public figures have been invited, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said earlier on Wednesday: "I simply can't believe it. It's inexplicable and totally incomprehensible to me."
