Archbishop of Belgrade discusses new pope, Kosovo

BELGRADE The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hocevar says the Holy See "has always been on the side of justice". He added that he believes Vatican will persist in its stand not to recognize Kosovo as independent even after the appointment of the new pope, Francis I. Archbishop of Belgrade discusses new pope, Kosovo In an interview for Tanjug, Hocevar expressed the belief that Vatican will stay true to its stand because it is a logical tradition. Still, he warned that it is not good for a church dignitary to be expected to provide political solutions and recalled that the pope is primarily a spiritual leader. "All churches should primarily bear in mind that their strength lies in spirituality and loyalty to the Gospel," Hocevar said and added that the more loyal Serbs are to the Gospel, the greater the positive effects in their lives would be. "The pope is a man very well acquainted with the needs of all people and an individual with a high level of solidarity and he therefore understands the needs of Serbs well, both on the individual and national level," Hocevar stated and added that this is the reason why he is fully convinced the pope will get closer to everyone, including Serbs, with his way of life. The archbishop stated that the relations between Serbia and the Holy See are good but they could intensify further to the benefit of Serbia and the region. Stanislav Hocevar (Beta, file) Tanjug

Archbishop of Belgrade discusses new pope, Kosovo

In an interview for Tanjug, Hočevar expressed the belief that Vatican will stay true to its stand because it is a logical tradition.

Still, he warned that it is not good for a church dignitary to be expected to provide political solutions and recalled that the pope is primarily a spiritual leader.

"All churches should primarily bear in mind that their strength lies in spirituality and loyalty to the Gospel," Hočevar said and added that the more loyal Serbs are to the Gospel, the greater the positive effects in their lives would be.

"The pope is a man very well acquainted with the needs of all people and an individual with a high level of solidarity and he therefore understands the needs of Serbs well, both on the individual and national level," Hočevar stated and added that this is the reason why he is fully convinced the pope will get closer to everyone, including Serbs, with his way of life.

The archbishop stated that the relations between Serbia and the Holy See are good but they could intensify further to the benefit of Serbia and the region.